After four seasons spent at JDA Dijon Hand, Ilona Di Rocco signed this summer with Entente Sportive Bisontine Féminine. A new challenge for the player trained at Metz Handball, who wants to continue her progression at the highest level under the colors of ESBF. After a well-negotiated entry into the Butagaz Energie League on the Plan de Cuques court (25-30), the 24-year-old full-back is already perfectly integrated into the Besançon collective, as evidenced by her six goals against HBPC. Already looking ahead to the upcoming clash against Paris 92 scheduled for this Friday, September 20 (to be followed live on HandballTV at 8 p.m.), Ilona Di Rocco is showing great ambitions under her new colors.
The interview with Ilona Di Rocco
You made a great start to the Butagaz Energy League with a win at Plan de Cuques (25-30). How did you experience this first day?
It’s never easy to play at Plan de Cuques. We had prepared for a big fight, against a team that is always difficult to maneuver, that is very aggressive, always supported by a very hot crowd. We managed to play our game in the first half and that allowed us to gain confidence. There was a lot of satisfaction after this victory, because we really respected our game plan, and the guiding principle that we wanted to follow in this match. It’s a real collective victory, and we mastered our subject from start to finish.
You arrived in Besançon this summer, and we already have the impression that you have been in this team for a long time…
Even though our team is still under construction, with the changes that were made this summer, we could feel that the preparation phase has borne fruit. Looking at our game against Plan de Cuques, we have the impression that we have been playing together for a long time. There are automatisms that have been created quite easily between us, and that is reassuring for the future. The game plan has been well assimilated by everyone and we are moving in the same direction.
Exactly, How did your integration in Besançon go?
For the moment, things are going very well in Besançon. I have been very well integrated into the collective by the girls, the staff who have just arrived as well. It is a new objective for me, in a team that has always been in competition with my old team in Dijon. The objectives are the same as with the JDA, and this season the ambition is to get a European place for next year with the ESBF.
Trained in Metz, you moved up a gear with Dijon. Today, what are your goals with Besançon?
I am still young and I still have many things to discover with a lot of room for improvement. I started in Metz in the thick of things, with the discovery of the very highest level. My adventure in Dijon allowed me to gain playing time, to progress on the field and to gain responsibilities. Today in Besançon I feel that I have gained maturity, I have made my little way, and I think I have the tools to express myself even more on the field. I focus a lot on my individual goals, I have ambitions in mind. I still have a lot to prove to hope to be called up to the French team one day, and I want above all to perform with my club and bring the maximum to my team.
Finally, a word on the upcoming match against Paris 92, a direct opponent in the race for European places.
We are going to tackle a big challenge. Paris 92 is a team used to playing at the top of the table, used to winning matches in the league. This match is not going to be easy, and we are going to have to manage our emotions well, the pressure of this first match at home, in front of our fans. They are a solid and difficult team to play, and we are going to have to show an even more attractive face than against Plan de Cuques.
