Esch beat Berchem 36:34 in the AXA League on Wednesday evening. The hosts stay top of the table with ten points from six games, while Berchem remain third on nine. And here's the thing — you need to watch these two teams play close to see what separates them.
Esch had not lost a game this season before tonight. Five wins and one draw sits them two points clear of their nearest challengers. Berchem carried a loss into this fixture and could not add to it. The result keeps Esch's perfect record intact.
Both sides brought recent form into the match. Esch had beaten Kereng 36:24 and lost narrowly to Diferdange 27:29 in their last outings. Berchem's run included a 39:38 win against Dudelange and a heavy victory over Rumelange. By then the standings made it clear these were the two best teams in the league.
The scoreline tells you it was tight, but the table does not lie. Esch's only dropped point came in a draw, not a defeat. Berchem's loss to Diferdange keeps them in third place, one game behind Esch but still within striking distance. To be fair, handball swings on momentum and you cannot read a league after six rounds.
What matters now is the gap. Ten points versus nine with five matches left. The hosts have not yet tasted defeat at home this season. Berchem will need to close the distance if they want to challenge.