Aston Villa's Hannah Hampton relieved after England's Euro victory
Former Staffordshire schoolgirl Hannah Hampton admitted she went through every possible emotion as she watched her England team-mates win the final of the Women’s Euros at Wembley.
Villa women goalkeeper Hampton, who attended Kingsmead School, in Hednesford, and Erasmus Darwin Academy, in Chasetown, as a teenager was on the substitutes’ bench for the dramatic final on Sunday evening.
And the 21-year-old described the experience as ‘absolutely horrible’ until the final whistle meant the Lionesses were crowned European champions.
Speaking after England’s extra-time winner brought football home after 56 years of hurt, she admitted the game had been a tough watch.
“It was horrible, absolutely horrible,” she said.
“I think I experienced every emotion possible and I do not want to experience it again.
“If we could make the next time we win much easier, it’d be greatly appreciated.”
Hampton, who joined Villa last year from Second City rivals Birmingham, the shot-stopper hailed the improvement in the women’s game and women’s goalkeeping in particular. Asked if perceptions of women’s goalkeeping were changing, she added: “Absolutely, it’s not just (England No.1) Mary (Earps).
“If you look at this tournament, you’ve got Daphne van Domselaar from the Netherlands and (France’s)Pauline Peyraud- Magnin…oh my days!
“It’s just showing how much the quality has changed in women’s football, especially the goalkeeping and I’m just happy to be a part of that. We can definitely show them what women are made of now in goal. We’ve come a long way for that to happen.”
