We all know there was plenty of noise about the absence of Mary Earps in the build-up to the Women’s Euros. But anyone who had been tracking Hannah Hampton’s rise at Chelsea would have known the Lionesses’ goal was still in the safest of hands.
Hampton recently joined TalkSport to lift the lid on her tournament experience — particularly the nerve-shredding penalty shootouts. She didn’t sugarcoat her verdict on the quarter-final against Sweden, calling it “horrendous” and adding, “Every time we missed, I was like, I’m not going to save every single one.”
Practising Until It’s Perfect
Hampton revealed the meticulous preparation that went into shootouts — preparation that ramped up significantly after the Sweden scare.
“From that one, Serena was like, you’re doing penalties every single day, whether you like it or not. I mean, we were doing it before.”
The experience meant that by the time the Spain shootout rolled around, she felt far more confident.
“I was probably more comfortable in the fact that I knew that we’d practised penalties since that first one. So, we would probably put a few more in the back of the net.”
Sarina Wiegman even had the squad rehearse the long walk from the halfway line to the spot — a detail some might dismiss, but Hampton values. Those extra touches can help players replicate the pressure and rhythm of a real knockout shootout.
The Keeper’s Homework
While the outfield players drilled technique on the pitch, Hampton’s own preparation often started in front of a screen.
“Before games, we as a keeper group have meetings and analyse every penalty an opposition player has taken. Even if they’ve only taken one back in 2019, we’ll have it on tape. You pick up little triggers — run-up, arm position, subtle changes — and where they tend to put pressure penalties.”
Of course, all that work can go out the window when a wildcard steps up.
“It’s hard when you’ve done all that research and then they throw someone on who’s never taken a penalty. I’ve done everyone’s research, and then number 17 steps up and… nothing.”
The Art of War (Penalty Edition)
Not all preparation is about data. Sometimes, it’s about mind games. Hampton recalled a now-legendary piece of quick thinking in the Spain shootout, “The Spanish keeper [Cata Coll] had all her penalty notes written on her bottle. So I thought, when she goes, I’ll just pick it up and chuck it into the English fans so she can’t have it.”
When asked if she actually did it, “Yes. Well, she can’t have it then. There you go.”
To protect her own notes, Hampton writes them on her arm, ensuring no one can pull the same trick on her. Honestly, for this level of ingenuity, she deserves every award going.
All joking aside, Hampton’s blend of mental sharpness, preparation, and her knack for making big saves when it matters most confirms what many already suspected — she is one of the most valuable goalkeepers in the world right now.
