Despite boasting the talents of Ryoyu Kobayashi and Yukiya Sato, the Japanese challenge would ultimately fade, while Germany too lost ground in the sixth round, which would see them eventually rank fourth, for the second day in a row.
The growing expectation on leaders Slovenia seemingly began to have an impact in the latter rounds, as Austria and Norway narrowed the gap following outstanding performances by Maximilian Ortner (AUT) and Johann Andre Forfang (NOR), as well as Kraft (AUT) and Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal (NOR).
Heading into the final round of jumps, Slovenia’s advanatage had been cut to just 2.5 points.
Individual Normal Hill champion Marius Lindvik, who was also part of Norway’s Mixed Team success on Wednesday, gave himself a chance of a third gold in Trondheim with the furthest jump of the day – measured at 138.5m, which scored 153 points.
However, Hoerl (AUT) did what he so often does, delivers under pressure and his 135m effort was enough to nudge Austria ahead in the overall standings.
Lanisek was the final athlete to leap from the Granåsen hill and typically saved his best until last, achieving a jump of 138m, which scored 151.4pts and gave Slovenia a well-earned, if highly-dramatic, title defence.