Dynamo Moscow overcame some teething problems to record a solid victory in their EuroLeague Women opener.

Dynamo were without Natalia Vodopyanova, who had to sit out the game with a hand injury, while Elena Shakirova, Elena Karpova, Maria Samorukova were all ruled fit to play only at the last moment.

		Oxana Rakhmatulina

In addition, Kamila Vodickova made her debut after just 5 practices with her team-mates, while new signings Sue Bird, Elena Baranova and Mwadi Mabika are all yet to arrive in Moscow.

Despite these setbacks, Dynamo had enough firepower to defeat their Spanish visitors. Vodickova overcame any unfamiliarity with her new partners and she and Shakirova led Moscow.

Valencia stayed in close contact with their hosts, and a basket from Vodickova gave the home side a narrow margin at the half, 46-44.

It was in the third quarter that Moscow opened the game. They built a 10-point lead and managed to hold onto it until the final buzzer.

Shakirova finished with 23 points for Dynamo while Vodickova added 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Suzy Batkovic, who won the EuroLeague last year with Valenciennes, had 21 points in her European debut with Valencia.

Semen Khaliphsky, Head Coach Dynamo Moscow:

"We didn't play a good team game. We were able to win mostly because of our defense, individual play and desire. Everybody played as well as they could and this was our first game at a high level.

We didn't want to experiment because the game was extremly important. We refused to play a fast game because we knew it would be hard against this team and we didn't let them play their game."

Olaf Lange, Head Coach Ros Casares Valencia:

"We have 8 new players, we have only 2 players from the last year, as well as a new coach, myself. We fell behind several times in each quarter and in the third we could not recover.

We couldn't cope with Shakirova and Vodickova who were very, very strong. We had problems matching up with them inside. But I have to say that this was an excellent game for Dynamo, really balanced inside and outside.

In Spain it will be a different match. Dynamo will have Mabika, Sue Bird and Elena Baranova and it will be a different team with these players. Dynamo already has a lot of talent but with these three it will be even more."