The Swedish athlete lives with the World’s best cross-country skier – but after a breakthrough last winter and a prestigious award this summer, the 27-year-old now sets his sights on the Olympics.

In April, he stood on stage and handed out the award for “Female Cross-Country Skier of the Year” to his girlfriend Ebba Andersson. But Gustaf Berglund, who often ends up in the shadow of his partner, had a season that earned him one of Swedish cross-country skiing’s most prestigious honors: the Sixten Jernberg Prize. He received it during Trollhättan Action Week last week.

But that’s history. Now everything is about the 2026 Olympics and the World Cup. More on that further down in the article.

Loving life with Ebba

Langrenn.com meets Gustaf Berglund during Toppidrettsveka in Trondheim, where he and his clubmate Eric Rosjö from IFK Mora went on a “buddy trip” to test their summer form against the world elite. It went “so-so” for them both, says the Swede.

He is most focused on talking about the coming season – and about life with Ebba Andersson.

The two have been a couple for four years, after Berglund invited Andersson over for cinnamon buns and milk. Since then, they’ve been together. Ebba calls him “her safe point in life,” and last fall they bought a house together in Östersund – their first home of their own. When asked how life together in their own house is going, the 27-year-old beams.

“We’re really happy in our house now. It feels great,” Berglund says eagerly.

Also Read – Andersson found comfort in her boyfriend: “He is my safe haven in life”

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Life as an athlete is hectic and full of travel. Have you managed to become “real” cohabitants yet?

“Yes. But we’re often in different places. This fall, we’ll be apart quite a lot. But we’re really happy, and it feels great to have the house together.”

Is it all sunshine and roses, or have you started arguing about things? Anything you typically disagree on?

“Yes, we argue. It’s often about paintings and buying furniture,” Berglund tells Langrenn.com.

“In the garden, I’m in charge”

But the conflict level is hardly high. Berglund explains that they’ve found an excellent solution to keep household peace.

Who wins the discussions?

“It varies… But we’ve agreed on a kind of deal: in the garden, I’m the boss, and indoors, she’s the boss.”

What happens in the garden?

“I’ve got strawberries, and I take care of the lawn. We really do have a nice lawn.”

Do you and Ebba train together often now that you live together, or do you go “to work” separately after breakfast and then meet again in the evening – like other couples?

“It’s very different. But we train together sometimes, and sometimes separately. Often, we see each other at breakfast, then again for lunch and dinner at home, but we each have our own agenda in between.”

Who cooks dinner?

“A bit of both. However, we’re apart so often that it doesn’t happen very often. And this fall, she’ll be away a lot.”

And Berglund is probably right. Earlier this fall, Andersson revealed that she won’t follow the national team’s training camp plan. Instead, she will train with Team Engcon, the Ski Classics Pro Team she signed for this spring.

Also Read: Stars skip national team altitude camp – follow their plans

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Not becoming a long-distance skier

Andersson herself has said she does not rule out a long-distance focus when she ends her World Cup career.

But that Berglund would also end up in Ski Classics, he strongly doubts, at least in the foreseeable future.

Right now, it’s only the Olympics and World Championships that matter. This, despite him showing promising signs in double poling against the long-distance elite, and having two Swedish Championship golds in the 50km.

It went really well at the Vaajmarathon in August. How much long-distance do you race?

“In the summer, a little: Vaaj, Toppidrettsveka, and Alliansloppet. But in the winter, not much.”

Also Read: Anger and Elebro Lind dominate Vaajmarathon 2025

But now that Ebba has signed with a long-distance Pro Team – is that something you’re considering?

“No, not right now. I’m sticking with the national team, and I like that routine. For now, it’s only traditional skiing.”

Is Ski Classics something to do when you get older?

“I take one thing at a time. We’ll see.”

The Olympics are the goal

Berglund has a clear goal for the coming season:

“It’s the 10km freestyle at the Olympics, and to perform really well there. That’s the goal – that’s what matters to me,” he tells Langrenn.com.

What’s required for that to happen?

“Then I need to measure myself against the best. And I need to step up a notch from last year. That’s what it takes.”

Klaebo won six out of six possible golds at the World Championships last winter. Will he take everything at the Olympics, too?

“It’s not impossible… But maybe not quite.”

Berglund believes it is possible to beat Klæbo – and that it’s the Swedes who can do it. But he doesn’t see himself as the top favorite.

Is it possible to beat Klæbo?

“Yes, I think so. And if anyone can do it, it’s Edvin (Anger) or Wille (Poromaa).”

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