Hannah Hampton, the England goalkeeper, shared how a Lioness player tossed a water bottle belonging to Spanish rival Kata Kol into the stands during the intense penalty shootout that sealed their victory in the European Championship final.
The Chelsea keeper had critical insider notes hidden on her arm, which helped her block shots from Mariona Caldentie and Aitana Bonmaty before Chloe Kelly netted the winning penalty while holding the trophy.
At just 24, Hampton acknowledged her pivotal role in countering Spanish penalty strategies, having saved attempts from Beth Mead and Captain Leah Williamson, leading England to a 3-1 triumph.
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“The Spanish keeper had it in her bottle,” Hampton recounted on Talksport radio.
“So when she went to the finish line, I picked it up and threw it into the English fans, thinking she wouldn’t get it back.”
Hampton elaborated:
“It wasn’t difficult—when you achieve your goal (the bottle), isn’t it amusing? It was just sitting there, so I picked it up.”
“Mine was empty, but it had the same sponsors, so I threw it to the fans, and she was left with nothing to hold.”
“She turned around confused as I walked the opposite way. I nearly burst out laughing, thinking, ‘Oh no, where did it go? Did I really do that?'”
Kol took Hampton’s comments in stride, responding with laughter on Twitter.
England previously secured a nerve-wracking penalty shootout win against Sweden, with both teams missing crucial shots that Hampton described as “traumatic” and “terrifying.”
However, the Chelsea keeper felt significantly more composed ahead of the final against Spain, which ended 1-1 after extra time.
“I probably knew I was practicing penalties since the first one, which made me more relaxed. I felt confident that I could stop several more,” Hampton commented.
“Before the match, we had a meeting with the goalkeepers to analyze the penalties from each opposing player. I noticed that one player had a 46-shot history that I had to review.”
“You examine every little detail, whether they tend to kick to one side or the other, their subtle movements, or even their arm position. Understanding their pressure points gives insight into how to make the right save.”
As soccer fans, we should celebrate these moments of creativity and strategy that define the sport. The humorous yet competitive spirit displayed by Hampton not only showcases the tensions of top-level football but also highlights the growing prominence of women’s soccer on the global stage.
