CB Aismalíbar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Club Baloncesto Aismalíbar
Leagues	1947
Founded	1964
Location	Montcada i Reixac, Catalonia, Spain

Club Baloncesto Aismalíbar was a Spanish basketball team. It was based in the town of Montcada, Spain.

History of Aismalíbar Basketball

The Aismalíbar basketball team started in 1947. A company named Aismalíbar created a club for its workers. The employees formed a basketball team. They joined a special league for workers. After winning many games in that league, the company decided to enter a team into the Catalan Basketball Federation. This new team was called CB Aismalíbar. They quickly became champions in the Second and First Regional Catalan leagues.

Building a Strong Team

In the 1950s, the Aismalíbar company invested a lot of money. They wanted to create a very strong basketball team. This was partly to advertise their business. It was also because people in Montcada loved basketball so much. They hired Eduardo Kucharski as a player and coach. They also brought in famous players like Emiliano Rodriguez. He later became a legend at Real Madrid. Other great players included Francesc Nino Buscató and Francisco Borrell. Borrell was the first player in Spanish basketball history to be taller than two meters (about 6 feet 7 inches).

Close to National Glory

Aismalíbar Montcada became the champion of Catalonia. However, they never won a major national title. But they came very close! They were the runner-up (second place) four times in the Generalissimo Cup. This happened in 1956, 1957, 1959, and 1964.

In the 1956-1957 season, Aismalíbar was one of the first six teams to start the main Spanish basketball league.

A Famous International Win

One of Aismalíbar's most famous wins happened in 1957. They were playing in a tournament in Sicily, Italy. They beat Sparta Prague from Czechoslovakia 77-73. This was a big deal because Sparta Prague was from the communist bloc. Aismalíbar was the first team from Western Europe to defeat a team from that region.

The End of the Club

The team's success started to fade. New rules said that games had to be played in indoor arenas. Aismalíbar could not afford to cover their outdoor court. So, the team had to play their games at the Palacio de los Deportes in Barcelona. This was far from Montcada. The club had to sell their best players. Finally, the team disappeared at the end of the 1963-1964 season.

In 1979, a new basketball club was started in Montcada i Reixac. It was called the Club Bàsquet Montcada. This new club tried to fill the empty space left by Aismalíbar. But it has never reached the top level of Spanish basketball, like Aismalíbar once did.

Honours & Achievements

Spanish Cup

• Runners-up (second place): 1956, 1957, 1959, 1964

Campionat de Catalunya

• Winners (first place): 1956
• Runners-up (second place): 1957

See also

In Spanish: Aismalíbar Montcada para niños