SAN ANTONIO (NBA) - The invasion of European players to the NBA occurred many years ago, with legends like Drazen Petrovic of Croatia and Dirk Nowitzki of Germany taking center stage in North America.

Until Wednesday night, though, no European-born-and-raised coach had ever run a team in the regular season.

Ettore Messina of Italy became the first to lead a team when he filled in for Gregg Popovich and coached the San Antonio Spurs to a 106-100 triumph over the visiting Indiana Pacers.

A huge hit during his time as the coach of clubs like Virtus Bologna, Benetton Treviso, CSKA Moscow and Italy's national team, Messina didn't look out of place at all.

Getting 28 points from Manu Ginobili, the Argentinian star he coached over a decade ago with Bologna, Messina got the sweet taste of an NBA victory.

"He was unbelievable," Messina said of Ginobili, who turned 37 four months ago.

"He was all over the place, not only basketball wise, but his effort and his desire was contagious."

Kiki Vandeweghe, who once shone in the NBA as a player, was born in Germany but grew up in America. He served as an interim coach of the then New Jersey Nets during the 2009-10 campaign. Until Messina's feat on Wednesday night, he was the closest thing there had ever been to a European coach leading a team to victory in the world's biggest basketball league.

In San Antonio, the night would not have been as special as it turned out to be for Messina had his former star pupil in Italy not come to the rescue.

With the home team down 66-62 with 4:24 left in the third quarter, Ginobili scored with a driving bank shot.

He twice buried jump shots later in the period - once from three-point range - to pull the Spurs level and also added a pair of free-throws and made another basket.

The Pacers still looked as if they might claim a precious road win and spoil the evening for Messina when they went in front by six early in the final frame.

But Ginobili continued to provide points for the Spurs and helped them as they went on a 16-2 run.

Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard got in on the act as well.

A three-pointer from France international Parker knotted the contest at 91-91 with 5:54 remaining before Leonard connected from beyond the arc to put the Spurs up by three and they stayed on top the rest of the way.

"It was great to see (Messina) out there and trying to take over the team and yell at us and get upset," Ginobili said.

"It really got me thinking about 13 years ago (in Italy).

"I am happy for him; I know it's not easy to go and replace Pop, even if it's for just one game."

FIBA