Tilda Johansson went out in the lead after the second shooting, 8.8 seconds ahead of Stina Nilsson and then and there it looked like the duo would settle for the EC gold.

- I went out in the lead before Stina and then I was told that I lost a little to her in the first split and then I thought: "no no no, this must not happen" so I went completely dumb on the last hill and barely held on reaching the finish line felt like, says Johansson who crossed the finish line as the new leader, 7.4 seconds ahead of Nilsson.

- It's great fun that I'm holding off for Stina and that it looks like enough for a medal is so awesome, says the 23-year-old.

However, there were others who wanted to have a say in the medal talk.

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Tilda Johansson stumbling close to European Championship gold: "Terrifyingly close"

"Tauntingly close"

First the German Vanessa Hinz nudged Nilsson down to third place and then Johansson was snubbed for the gold by Anastasija Merkusjyna - with a margin of 0.5 seconds.

- It's tantalizingly close, but if it were enough for a medal, it would mean an incredible amount.

I can't be more satisfied than I am right now, I'm very happy, says Johansson and continues:

- Right now I'm just anxiously waiting for everyone to finish, no matter what the position is, it will be a really good starting position for tomorrow, it will be a new situation for me to start so high in a chase start.

Stina Nilsson shot a bar in the prone position and full in the standing position and finished fourth.

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Stina Nilsson shoots full speed in the EC sprint