The two German biathlon teams have had a successful start to the World Cup winter.
In Kontiolahti, Finland, the men with debutants Justus Strelow, Johannes Kühn, Benedikt Doll and Roman Rees finished second.
A little later, thanks to Anna Weidel, Sophia Schneider, Vanessa Voigt and Olympic champion Denise Herrmann-Wick, the women followed suit with the same placement.
The quartet of the German Ski Association (DSV) with six spares only had to give way to the superior Olympic champions from Sweden around individual winner Hanna Öberg (+28.1 seconds).
Norway finished third.
Voigt and Herrmann-Wick were already part of the team that finished third at the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February.
Last season, the German women never got better than fourth place.
The men finished 43.9 seconds behind Olympic champions Norway, with France third.
“Podium is always the goal.
It's nice that it worked out well for everyone," said Doll.
The DSV selection allowed eight spare rounds and was 43.9 seconds behind the Norwegians, who won four of five races last season.
The last time a German men's relay reached the podium was in Antholz (3rd place) in January.
After a rest day, the World Cup week continues on Saturday with the men's (10.45 a.m.) and women's (1.45 p.m.) sprint races.
The next day, the two pursuers (12.15/2.15 p.m./ARD and Eurosport each) line up at the end.