Famila Schio pushed Spartak Moscow Region hard for three quarters but the two-time defending champions pulled away over the final 10 minutes for an 88-63 triumph.

Russia's  Olympic bronze-medal winner Tatiana Shchegoleva had 22 points and six rebounds for Spartak, who also got a terrific game from USA point guard Sue Bird.

Bird, winner of a second straight Olympic gold this year at the Beijing Games, had 15 points, nine assists and five rebounds.

A jump shot from Nicole Antibes cut Spartak's lead to 62-52 late in the third quarter.

Spartak, now coached by Hungarian national team boss and former MiZo Pecs chief Laszlo Ratgeber, reeled off the next nine points to take command for good.

USA star Sylvia Fowles made her EuroLeague Women debut and had seven rebounds to go with her six points for Spartak while fellow American Diana Taurasi weighed in with 12 points and seven rebounds.

Russia's Marina Karpunina also scored 17 in the victory.

Kathrin Ress poured in 20 points in defeat for Schio.