Hampton’s Euro final glory a ‘little bit like a fairytale’

It was, as Sarina Wiegman said, a “fairytale”. But Hannah Hampton had believed from the start, having proved everyone wrong by just reaching Euro 2025.

- JAMIE BRAIDWOOD AT ST JAKOB PARK

Even when Hampton overcame the doubts and the advice of doctors who said she would not become a goalkeeper, she did not believe the England fans would welcome her after replacing a legend between the posts in Mary Earps.

Hampton finished the Euros as England’s hero in the penalty shootout win over Spain, perhaps as the tournament’s best player, and with Wiegman jumping into her arms after saving the spot kicks from Aitana Bonmati and Mariona Caldentey. “Every player has her own story and her journey has been incredible too,” Wiegman said. “It’s a little bit like a fairytale when you then stop those penalties in the final.”

“We’re the team that never gives up,” said Hampton, but she had saved them. England led for just four minutes and 52 seconds of the knockout stages but finished Euro 2025 as the champions. They relied on their spirit and determination, but also their new No 1: the player of the match in the quarterfinal and the final. The defiant stopper of four penalties across two shootouts, aided by the help of a “cheat sheet” on her water bottle.

There are many sliding doors moments of England’s Euros win, a tournament Wiegman described as the “most chaotic and ridiculous” she had experienced. Some came in the final, as Spain led 1-0 and pushed for more. Others came three months ago, such as when Michelle Agyemang was called into Wiegman’s squad for the first time because of an injury to Alessia Russo, beginning a timeline in which the 19-year-old would twice rescue them.