Reigning EuroLeague Women Champions UMMC Ekaterinburg’s first fixture in this season’s competition began with a medal ceremony as the team received their winners medals from last year’s Russian Championship.

A laser show followed, after which Ekaterinburg made the first step in their EuroLeague Women title defence with victory over Hungarian club Euroleasing-Orsi Sopron.

		Ekaterinburg's Irina Ossipova scores in the lane

Ekaterinburg only suited up 7 players for the game, but they still had enough firepower to pull away from Sopron in the second quarter and win the game with room to spare, 75-50.

Sopron stayed in the game until the final minutes of the second quarter, when Ekaterinburg went on a 10-0 run to build a 35:25 halftime lead.

De Lisha Milton stepped up for the home team in the third quarter, scoring 8 points and helping Ekaterinburg to extend the lead to 14 points (49:35). Ekaterinburg kept up their strong play until the end, outscoring Sopron by 12 points in the 4th quarter to run out 75:50 winners.

Milton was named MVP of the game after her 27 point, 8 rebound performance. Anna Arkhipova and Svetlana Abrosimova scored 13 points apiece. Abrosimova added 12 rebounds and 6 steals.

Serb and Montenegrin guard Gordana Kovacevic was a bright spark for Sopron as she scored 21 points. Center Oxana Zakalyuzhnaya was the only other player in double figures with 11, along with 11 rebounds.

Game MVP: De Lisha Milton