João Paulo Bessa
Encyclopedia
João Paulo de Castro Silva Bessa (born Porto
, 25 April 1947) is a Portuguese architect, journalist and a former rugby union player and coach. He also played football and tennis.
(1965/66-1967/68) but moved then to CDUL
(1968/69-1980/81) in Lisbon. He was one of the best rugby union Portuguese players of his time, having 5 caps for Portugal
, from 1969 to 1974.
After ending his player career, he become a coach. He was the National Team coach from 1983 to 1986 and from 1994 to 1999. He almost achieved the qualification for the 1999 Rugby World Cup
finals, but was eliminated by Uruguay
at the repechage.
João Paulo Bessa also has been a sports journalist for many Portuguese newspapers.
Porto
Porto , also known as Oporto in English, is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Its administrative limits include a population of 237,559 inhabitants distributed within 15 civil parishes...
, 25 April 1947) is a Portuguese architect, journalist and a former rugby union player and coach. He also played football and tennis.
Career
Bessa studied Architecture at the University of Porto. He first played at CDUPCentro Desportivo Universitário do Porto
Centro Desportivo Universitário do Porto or CDUP is a Portuguese amateur sports club for students at the University of Porto, in Porto, Portugal.-Sports:...
(1965/66-1967/68) but moved then to CDUL
Centro Desportivo Universitário de Lisboa
Centro Desportivo Universitário de Lisboa or CDUL is a Portuguese multisports club for Lisbon's university students, including those from the University of Lisbon and others. CDUL has one of the most decorated Portuguese rugby union teams and it had four players at the 2007 Rugby World Cup finals...
(1968/69-1980/81) in Lisbon. He was one of the best rugby union Portuguese players of his time, having 5 caps for Portugal
Portugal national rugby union team
The Portugal national rugby union team is a third tier rugby union side representing Portugal. They first played in 1935 and now compete in the European Nations Cup. Rugby union in Portugal is administered by the Federação Portuguesa de Rugby. Portugal qualified for their first Rugby World Cup in...
, from 1969 to 1974.
After ending his player career, he become a coach. He was the National Team coach from 1983 to 1986 and from 1994 to 1999. He almost achieved the qualification for the 1999 Rugby World Cup
1999 Rugby World Cup
The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup, and the first to be held in rugby union's professional era. The principal host nation was Wales, although the majority of matches were played outside the country, shared between England, France, Scotland and Ireland...
finals, but was eliminated by Uruguay
Uruguay national rugby union team
The Uruguay national rugby union team is the representative side of Uruguay, governed by the Unión de Rugby del Uruguay. They have been playing international rugby since 1948. Their jersey is blue and black and they are known as Los Teros. They qualified twice for the Rugby World Cup, in 1999 and...
at the repechage.
João Paulo Bessa also has been a sports journalist for many Portuguese newspapers.