Eurovision hopeful on her love for Norwich City

Image source, Anders Solum

Image caption, Emmy says she has supported the Canaries for as long as she can remember
  • Author, Andy Trigg
  • Role, BBC News, Norfolk

The singer representing Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest has revealed how her family became lifelong Norwich City fans.

Emmy Kristine Guttulsrud Kristiansen said her dad started following the Canaries aged seven when his favourite player, the late Martin Peters, left Tottenham Hotspur for Norwich in 1975.

The 26-year-old from Norway described Norwich as "beautiful" and said she loved watching games at Carrow Road.

Emmy, as she is known on stage, will perform at the Eurovision Grand Final if she gets through the semi-finals on 15 May.

"I grew up watching [Norwich] and going to a few matches," she told the BBC's Scrimmage Podcast.

"My first time at Carrow Road was in 2010.

"I remember the river, the ducks, the beautiful restaurants. It's just a beautiful city."

Image source, Roberth Kristiansen

Image caption, Over the years Emmy's favourite players have included Wes Hoolahan, Adam Drury and Todd Cantwell

Emmy, who lives in the small Norwegian village of Sande, 37 miles (60km) south of Oslo, said she often listened to live match commentary on BBC Radio Norfolk.

Emmy's father, Roberth, described Norwich as a "good suit" for his family.

"Liverpool has about 50,000 supporters in Norway, and to be honest, that must be a bit boring.

"Norwich isn't the biggest or largest but it's a wonderful club."

Image source, Roberth Kristiansen

Image caption, Emmy met former Norwich footballer Patrick Bamford during a trip to Carrow Road in 2016

Emmy, who has 1.2 million followers on TikTok, was selected to take part in Eurovision after she attended a songwriting camp in Norway.

She met an Irish songwriter who suggested she should apply to represent Ireland.

Emmy's song, Laika Party, is based on the Russian stray dog, Laika, who became the first living creature to orbit Earth in 1957.

Image source, Sam Kwan

Image caption, Emmy, whose parents and grandparents are musicians, says she has been singing her whole life

"I'm so so excited [for Eurovison]. It's a childhood dream coming true," Emmy added.

"The only thing I can do is try my best to make Ireland proud. That's my main goal."

The grand final, which takes place in Basel, Switzerland, on 17 May, will be available to watch on BBC One and iPlayer.

The UK's entry is the female country-pop trio Remember Monday.

Audio captionListen: What links Norway, Ireland and the Canaries?
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