Granatto Keeps Dragons on Gantoise’s Tail in the Belgian Women’s League

The Belgian women’s league has a proper title race on its hands, and it’s down to a single point.

KHC Dragons stayed right on Gantoise’s heels at the weekend. Maria Granatto scored the only goal of their derby against Antwerp in the 56th minute, a 1-0 win that kept Dragons unbeaten after nine rounds. Seven wins, two draws, and still nobody has beaten them.

Gantoise aren’t going anywhere, though. The reigning champions edged Braxgata 2-1 to claim their eighth win of the season and stay top. Stephanie Vanden Borre put them ahead from a penalty corner, Michelle Carey pulled Braxgata level going into the second half, and then Louise Van Hecke settled it in the 57th minute. That was the goal that kept Ghent in front.

So after nine rounds it’s Gantoise top, Dragons one point behind them. That’s as tight as it gets.

Leuven are still in it

Don’t forget KHC Leuven. Lisl Denef’s goal gave them a 1-0 win over Beerschot, and they’re four points off the leaders. That’s close enough to matter. If either of the top two slip up, Leuven are right there waiting.

For our money, this is a three-team race now. Gantoise have the experience and the points, Dragons have the unbeaten record and Granatto deciding tight games, and Leuven are close enough that one bad weekend at the top changes everything.

The next round will tell us plenty. Gantoise have to keep winning to hold off a side that simply doesn’t lose. Dragons have to turn some of those draws into wins if they want to go past them rather than just keep up. And Leuven just have to keep doing what they’re doing.

One point. Nine rounds gone. This one could go all the way.