Linn Svahn, Frida Karlsson and Ebba Andersson had ensured that Sweden's first team led by a minute at the last change in Oberhof.
But the reassuring distance shrunk in the closing stretch for Jonna Sundling.
The German Victoria Carl got closer, got closer and got closer at every intermediate time.
And when the 7.5 kilometer stretch was coming to an end, Carl could see Sundling's back.
But for Germany, the relay should have been even longer.
Sundling ensured that Sweden won, 17.5 seconds ahead of runner-up Germany.
Which thus took 40 seconds on the last stretch.
The text is updated.