It was in the EC's opening 35-kilometer race that the double WC bronze medalist Perseus Karlström was forced to retire with one mile left to walk, and it was unclear for a long time whether he would even start in today's race over 20 kilometers.

But he came to the start and even though he looked a bit strained after three kilometers of walking, he was up and pulling in the lead at regular intervals.

- He usually knows what he's doing so he probably feels pretty good, says SVT's expert Bengt Bengtsson after the leader group has passed five kilometers.

Halfway through the race, there were only eight left in the leading pack and just over two kilometers later, Karlström pulled up a solid pace that only the Spaniards Alvaro Martín and Diego Garcia Carrera could match.

After 15 kilometers he could no longer keep up with Martín.

Garcia Carrera made an attempt to hang on to his compatriot but he had to do so and a moment later he was passed by Karlström.

Around the same time, Martín started to slouch with his technique, which led to him being cautioned twice more.

However, he did not slow down the pace and with two kilometers left in the race he was eleven seconds ahead of Karlström and the Swede could not catch up.

But it was a silver.

- Absolutely fantastic work, so impressive.

A fabulous performance, says Bengtsson.

The text is updated