asp.net button in ITemplate doesn't fire Repeater ItemCommand event - asp.net

Question

i am a complete asp.net noob and the solution could be something very simple.
i have found, read and tried many answers to questions very similar to my question, but nothing works. i hope to find some help here.
this works perfectly with no problem:
<asp:Repeater ID="Repeater1" runat="server" onitemcommand="Repeater1_ItemCommand">
<ItemTemplate>
<asp:Button ID="Button1" runat="server" Text='<%# (Container.DataItem as Choice).description %>' CommandName="Choice" CommandArgument='<%# (Container.DataItem as Choice).id %>'/>
<br />
</ItemTemplate>
</asp:Repeater>
code behind:
void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
if (!Page.IsPostBack)
{
List<Choice> choiceList = new List<Choice>();
// ... code to fill the list ...
Repeater1.DataSource = choiceList;
Repeater1.DataBind();
}
}
void Repeater1_ItemCommand(object source, RepeaterCommandEventArgs e)
{
int idx = int.Parse( e.CommandArgument.ToString() );
// this function is called
}
but if i use ITemplate it doesn't work:
<asp:Repeater ID="Repeater1" runat="server" onitemcommand="Repeater1_ItemCommand">
</asp:Repeater>
code behind:
public class MyButtonTemplate : System.Web.UI.ITemplate
{
public void InstantiateIn(System.Web.UI.Control container)
{
Button button = new Button();
button.CommandName = "choice";
button.DataBinding += new EventHandler(Button_DataBinding);
container.Controls.Add(button);
container.Controls.Add(new LiteralControl("<br />"));
}
}
static void Button_DataBinding(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
{
Button button = (Button)sender;
RepeaterItem repeaterItem = (RepeaterItem)button.NamingContainer;
button.ID = "button" + (repeaterItem.DataItem as Choice).id.ToString();
button.CommandArgument = (repeaterItem.DataItem as Choice).id.ToString();
button.Text = (repeaterItem.DataItem as Choice).description;
}
void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
if (!Page.IsPostBack)
{
List<Choice> choiceList = new List<Choice>();
// ... code to fill the list ...
Repeater1.ItemTemplate = new MyButtonTemplate();
Repeater1.DataSource = choiceList;
Repeater1.DataBind();
}
}
void Repeater1_ItemCommand(object source, RepeaterCommandEventArgs e)
{
int idx = int.Parse( e.CommandArgument.ToString() );
// this function is NOT called
}
the buttons are displayed, but the event is not fired.
i have already tried saving a delegate in MyButtonTemplate and assigning the button click event - it does not work.
thank you!