MIES (Switzerland) - The aim of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup has always been to bring winning clubs from different continents together to battle for a prestigious title.

Ignis Varese won the first official FIBA Intercontinental Cup in 1966, in Madrid

Deserving of a place in FIBA's 90 most iconic moments, the first official edition was in 1966, in Madrid, though it followed a test event in 1965 that had captured the imagination and left no doubt about its potential.

The test event had been a game between S.C. Corinthians and Real Madrid in Sao Paulo, with a throng of 10,000 fans cheering wildly in the stands.

That Corinthians team had Wlamir Marques, the Brazil legend who had been the MVP of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 1963, in Rio de Janeiro.

Wlamir poured in 51 points in his team's 118-109 triumph.

Madrid followed up that appearance by hosting the official event the following year to inaugurate their new Real Madrid stadium, the Pabellon de la Ciudad Deportiva.

Varese's Giovanni Gavagnin receives the trophy from club president Giovanni Borghi

Ignis Pallacanestro Varese spoiled the party, at least for the home side, by beating Madrid on opening night in the Semi-Finals, 86-77, after trailing by six points at half-time.

That threw them into a title showdown with Corinthians, who claimed a big half-time lead against Chicagoans Jamaco Saints of the NABL before holding on for a 69-62 victory.

In the championship showdown before 5,000 spectators, Varese led 32-24 at half-time and won, 66-59, with center and national team star Giovanni Gavagnin pouring in a game-high 20 points.

Varese point guard Tony Gennari had 15 points in the win over Corinthians

Gavagnin was the player/coach of Varese and he would also help the team win the same event four years later when the Intercontinental Cup was held at the Palazzo dello Sport in Varese.

Fans were able to see some of the finest players in international basketball at the event. In addition to Corinthians star Wlamir Marques was his 1963 World Cup winning teammate, Ubiratan Pereira.

Madrid's legendary coach, Lolo Sainz, was a player for the club at that event. Madrid finished the event on a high, winning the Third-Place Game, 112–96, over Jamaco Saints.

FIBA