Estudiantes coach Mariano de Pablos has stressed how important it was that his side won Tuesday's EuroCup quarter-final opener against Dynamo Moscow Region.

Estu fought back from a first-period deficit to earn a 80-70 home victory in the first meeting of the best-of-three tie.

		“	... I know that we are going to win in front of our fans, and we will return to Madrid	„
		Dmitri Shakulin

The Spanish side now go to Russia for Game Two on Friday, knowing another triumph will put them through to the Final Four.

"We knew that it was key to start with a victory in this series," said coach De Pablos.

"Now we no longer have to travel to Moscow with the pressure of needing to win away from home.

"As well as that, I hope that the team have gained confidence with this victory, and will play with less pressure than we did (in this game)."

Estu found themselves trailing by nine points early on, but they weathered the Dynamo storm before making the most of their home advantage.

"They (Dynamo) have played their tricks with great skill at the start, when we have had many problems," said De Pablos, who believes there is still all to play for.

"It is clear that no-one has shown all of their abilities in this game. 

"I am convinced that we have still many things to learn about the Russian team, and them about us."

Estu out-rebounded their opponents 46-22, but it was the Spanish side's superior long-range shooting that Dynamo coach Dmitri Shakulin believes was the difference between the teams.

Madrid made eight of 21 from behind the arc, while from the same distance Dynamo downed just seven of their 25 shots.

"We knew that they had great three-point shooters, and this has been the key to the defeat," said Shakulin.

"Even so I am going away happy, because I know that we are going to win in front of our fans, and we will return to Madrid (for Game Three)."