MUNICH (EuroCup Women) - A host of EuroCup Women newcomers wasted little time in delivering wins in their very first outing in the competition - including Swedish national team duo Josefin Vesterberg and Anna Barthold who celebrated a historic success with BBK Lulea.

Vesterberg corralled 20 points, while Barthold cleaned up on the glass with 14 boards as the Swedish side outpaced Energia Ivanovo 82-71 - and it was very much the theme of the first round of action.

Another Swedish star in Elisabeth Egnell played a pivotal role in Thursday's most dramatic encounter as UFAB 49 came back from a 17-point deficit to complete a compelling 88-84 win against Namur. Egnell tied the game in regulation and Angers finished the job to get their first success behind 15 points, 10 rebounds and five assists from Sofija Aleksandravicius.

Edirnespor celebrated a pulsating maiden triumph as a phenomenal double-double from Stefanie Dolson carried them to a nail-biting 70-68 win at home to Enisey Krasnoyarsk. The center racked up a spellbinding 22 points and 18 rebounds to star on a memorable night.

Sportiva Azores Airlines also soared on their debut as they registered a 76-67 victory at Uni Gyor. The Portuguese islanders took a first win home after heroics from Ashely Bruner who excelled with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

Jessica Kuster did it all for another newcomer in Nymburk with 22 points, 8 boards and 7 assists, as the Czech club eased their way to an 82-68 victory at home to PEAC-Pecs. Lithuania national team player Egle Siksniute also chipped in with 19 points.

Dike Napoli are celebrating a winning first footstep, as Croatia national team forward Jelena Ivezic scored 18 points and Canadian star Natalie Achonwa garnered 15 points in a 72-63 win against fellow rookies Orange Blizzards.

However, the history stopped there as Piestanske Cajky were unable to make a splash in their first outing on Wednesday. Kamile Nacickaite recorded a 27-point showing to propel Adana Aski to an 87-62 win on Slovak Republic soil.

Elfic Fribourg were also hoping to hit a high opening note in the competition, but despite 26 points by Jazmine Davis they went down 81-67 at Basket Landes.

Reyer Venezia returned to the tournament after several years away but couldn't dig out a winning return as Nantes Reze escaped with a 73-65 home success. Spanish ace Queralt Casas poured in 26 points to save Nantes, who had earlier squandered a 16-point lead.

Another belated returnee, Valosun KP Brno made an appearance two decades after their last one, but fell 77-73 in agonising fashion against Aluinvent Miskolc.

There wasn't the same positive outcome for another Hungarian club in Pinkk Pecsi 424 who were beaten 70-55 at home to TSV 1880 Wasserburg after FIBA Americas Women's Championship winner Folade Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe posted a stellar 18 points and 13 boards.

Besiktas Istanbul outlined their ambition for the season with a 76-66 victory against Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje as Croatia national team centre Luca Ivankovic powered her way to a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Cappie Pondexter weighed in with a game-high 21 points.

Meanwhile, Dunav 8806 are still searching for their maiden win after going down 83-71 in Group D at Istanbul Universitesi. EuroBasket Women 2015 winner Sasa Cado sunk a superb 25 points for the hosts.

One of the biggest crowds of the night was in Vologda as Chevakata claimed a 65-58 win against Tsmoki Minsk. Latvia national team star Anete Steinberga brought the noise with 11 points and 12 rebounds - complemented by Tatiana Petrushina who added 17 points.

TTT Riga made the regular season via a qualifier and made the most of their progression with a 75-69 Group B win against Orduspor. Kristen Mann and Sydney Carter combined for 40 points for the Latvian side.

Three-time champions WBC Dynamo began their latest EuroCup Women campaign with a dramatic 87-84 overtime victory away at Udominate Basket. Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje loanee Ksenia Tihonenko had 24 points and 15 rebounds in the winning cause.

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FIBA