Finland has secured its second medal at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. The Finnish women’s 4×7.5km cross-country relay team finished third on Saturday, marking their return to the Olympic podium after a 12-year absence.

Johanna Matintalo led Finland during the opening leg. The pace started off slow, with 12 teams staying closely grouped for much of the segment.

Matintalo handed over for Finland in sixth place, 12.2 seconds behind Sweden.

Kerttu Niskanen quickly advanced Finland to fourth position.

Italy emerged as an unexpected contender. Niskanen caught up and moved Finland into third place.

Johanna Matintalo. Photograph: Yohei Osada/AFLO/EASTPRESS

During the third leg, Switzerland appeared to be Finland’s main competitor for the medal. Vilma Ryytty, participating in her first Games, overtook Switzerland.

Ryytty brought Finland into the final leg in second place, with Italy nine seconds behind and Sweden 18 seconds back.

In the anchor leg, Finland battled against Sweden, which had made a tremendous comeback.

Sweden’s anchor, Jonna Sundling, caught up with Jasmi Joensuu and pushed past Finland to take silver.

However, Joensuu secured the last medal spot for the Finnish women. Norway won the race.

“To this end, we work as a team so we can cheer on the podium,” Joensuu said in a TV interview with the national broadcaster YLE.