Andersson took her second consecutive World Championship gold in skiathlon after a furious sprint duel against the comebacking Norwegian Therese Johaug in Trondheim.
It's a clear message to all those who have been talking about Johaug only. Ebba probably had a bit of a grudge in the background and thought she would show them. And she really does that today, says the Swedish national team manager Anders Byström to Radiosporten.
Silver medalist Johaug responds to the outburst after the race.
I knew Ebba was in form. We saw that in Falun in the last World Cup competition, that she has taken a step forward. She won this distance in Planica (World Championship 2023) too, says the 36-year-old.
Johaug says that the Norwegian skiers discussed Andersson, Frida Karlsson, Jonna Sundling, and American Jessie Diggins as major challengers at their meeting on Saturday.
The skiing legend finished second after a photo finish with Andersson.
It's very bitter when it's just a few centimeters apart, says Johaug.
Sprint queen Sundling fell in a curve on the stadium when the skiers entered the final lap. If sprint-strong Sundling – who took bronze – had been with them to the finish, the results list would have looked different, Johaug believes.
Then Sundling would have taken gold. It was quite simple. So, I basically just got lucky, says the Norwegian.
