Thrilling Conclusion to the European Championship Final
In a thrilling conclusion to the European Championship final, Hannah Hampton, England’s goalkeeper, made headlines not just for her performance but also for a clever move against Spanish rival Cata Coll. During the nail-biting penalty shootout where England triumphed 3-1, Hampton took a decisive action by tossing aside a water bottle belonging to Coll, which contained tactical notes intended to aid Spain in the shootout.
Decisive Actions Under Pressure
The incident occurred as tension hung in the air at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, following a 1-1 draw after extra time. The 24-year-old Chelsea goalkeeper had her own playbook taped to her arm, which proved invaluable as she heroically stopped penalty attempts from Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmatí. Chloe Kelly’s successful penalty ultimately secured England’s victory, allowing the Lionesses to retain their championship title.
Strategic Insights from Hampton
Hampton recounted her strategy during an interview with talkSPORT, saying, “The Spanish keeper had it on her bottle. I thought when she was going in goal, I’d just pick it up and throw it into the English fans so she can’t have it.”
She cleverly concealed her own notes, opting for an arm display instead of a bottle, as she noted, “I never put it on a bottle because anyone can do that.”
A Lighthearted Moment
In a lighthearted tone, Hampton shared the moment, describing how Coll appeared puzzled as she returned to the goal searching for her water bottle that was now among England’s jubilant supporters.
“I was trying so hard not to burst out laughing because I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t know where it has gone,'”
she reflected, emphasizing the need for creative tactics during high-pressure situations.
Experience and Preparation
The goalkeeper acknowledged the weight of experience heading into this final match, having already faced a traumatic penalty shootout against Sweden earlier in the tournament. That contest was fraught with missed opportunities, which Hampton had found deeply stressful. However, her continued preparation gave her confidence going into the match against Spain.
“I felt much more comfortable knowing we had practiced penalties since that first one, so I knew we would put a few more in the back of the net,”
she stated.
Analyzing the Competition
Prior to the showdown, herself and her fellow goalkeepers meticulously analyzed footage of Spain’s penalty takers. They observed each player’s style, tendencies, and any patterns that might reveal where they would place their shots. Hampton’s diligence paid off as she turned what could have been a disadvantage into a brilliant tactical upper hand for the Lionesses, leading them to European glory once more.
