The conditions were difficult with a gusty wind and many skiers had problems on the shooting range.
But Viktor Brandt had an extra tough time. Despite three extra shots, he had three penalty rounds in the standing shooting on the first leg.
Sweden was down to 19th place, at the changeover he had moved up one position, but was almost two minutes behind leading Norway.
I'm terribly disappointed in myself and I suffer with the guys on the other three stages who have to ride according to the starting position I've given them.
“Want to perform exceptionally well”
How could it happen like this?
"A combination of difficult conditions and nervousness. It's on home soil and you want to perform extra well," he says.
Jesper Nelin and Martin Ponsiluoma worked Sweden up the results list and before Sebastian Samuelsson's final stretch there was a chance of a podium finish.
At that time, Sweden was fourth – 1.26 behind Norway, but only eleven seconds behind third-place Germany.
Sweden even had a chance to win when Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen shot poorly in the prone position.
It was fun to feel like you have the chance, it really feels like you have everything to win, says Sebastian Samuelsson.
Samuelsson fastest
However, the Norwegian came back, shot full in the standing position and was able to hold off and win by 8.9 seconds ahead of second-place France.
It was a lesson in biathlon, it couldn't have been better. Having two of the world's best biathletes behind you and being able to stay calm and focus on your own job – I managed that today, says Christiansen.
He says that the victory was important to show that Norway can do without the world's best biathlete Johannes Thingnes Bø, who has retired.
It was super important. Especially to show in a duel with Sweden and France, which are still alive.
Sweden was in third place, 24.7 seconds behind Norway.
Sebastian Samuelsson was fastest on the final stretch. He thinks the podium finish gave the entire men's team a lot of confidence going forward.
"It means a lot. Everyone rode very well, even though Viktor probably got tired at the end after the penalty rounds. This gives everyone a sense of security that they know it's working," he says.
