António Livramento

António José Parreira do Livramento ( born February 24, 1944 in São Manços ( Évora ), † June 7, 1999 in Lisbon ) was a Portuguese roller hockey player and coach. As an unusually good striker he is regarded of all time worldwide in the sport as the best player, much like Wayne Gretzky in ice hockey.

Career as a club player

In his youth, Livramento still enthusiastic for football. His roller hockey career began, an invitation following, 1959 at Benfica Lisbon and played there continuously until 1970. After a one year break, he was playing for this club until 1974. Afterwards he moved to various Portuguese clubs for which he has been one season active: Banco Pinto 1975 Sotto Mayor in 1976, Sporting Lisbon in 1977.

In 1977 he continued his career overseas and played the 1977/ 78 for the Italian club Amatori Lodi. He then ended his club career after two seasons at Sporting Lisbon in 1981.

Career as a national player

In 1960 he was appointed to the Youth National Team of Portugal and was elected in the same year as the best player of the youth roller hockey championship. Soon, he was inducted into the national team and won with it the roll- Hockey Championship in 1961 and the roll- Hockey World Championship the following year. During his long career as a national player Livramento was used 209 times and scored 425 goals. In 1977 he decided to leave the national team.

António Livramento was three times Roll Hockey World Champion (1962, 1968 and 1974). He won seven times European champion (1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1973, 1975 and 1977 ).

Career as a coach

After ending his playing career, he began a coaching career. He was both coach of Sporting Portugal and the national team. As a coach, he won the 1991 and the 1993 World Cup title. In 1995 he resigned after an unsuccessful participation.