First, she was poked in the sprint relay.

Now Tove Alexandersson, 28, has won her second straight European Championship gold in Switzerland.

Today's sprint, 4 km long with 21 controls, was carried out just like the knockout sprint inside Neuchâtel's city center.

The rain that fell during the day made the alleys and the narrow passages slippery and extra challenging for the runners.

- It is a course that is physically demanding with a lot of climbing, says SVT Sports expert Mats Troeng.

Second drama about the gold

But Tove Alexandersson, reigning European champion in sprint from 2018, once again managed to handle the conditions best.

The Swede went out last of all and started offensively - but the competition developed into a second drama in the battle for the gold.

At the sixth check, the 28-year-old was in the lead, completely equal to the home jumper Elena Roos.

The next time Alexandersson appeared in the picture, she was one second ahead of the Swiss.

- What a thriller this is!

Everything is decided on the last loop.

It is a second fight for the gold, exclaims SVT Sports commentator Jacob Hård in the broadcast.

At the last check just before goal, Alexandersson's heavy breathing was clearly heard.

- She is pouring on now, she is tormented, says Troeng.

But Alexandersson increased the speed and in the finish she was three seconds ahead of the silver medalist Roos.

The bronze went to Simona Aebersold, also from Switzerland.

- I thought it went perfectly well in the beginning, but I had a bit of a hard time knowing which route choices were best and made fairly quick decisions, says Alexandersson after the finish.

"Thought it's over now"

After an extra tricky choice of route, the Swede thought the gold was gone, she was forced to stop for a few seconds before continuing.

- I discovered that it was cordoned off in several places, then I stopped and thought "no, what am I doing - this will not be good".

I thought I lost a lot of time on it and thought "now it's over", says Alexandersson.

- But then it was just to forget it and try to drive on what I had and complete the rest of the track well.

The European Championship gold is Tove Alexandersson's sixth in her career and her second in two days.

- No, I did not expect that.

I am super happy that it has gone so well and that I have been able to take these medals.

In addition to the European Championship gold, the Swedes otherwise made a strong team effort: five runners top nine.

- It is a super effort by the Swedish team, says Troeng.