England’s Euro 2025 hero Hannah Hampton has revealed that she lost her grandfather just two days before the Lionesses’ campaign in Switzerland got underway.
The goalkeeper had a superb tournament and finished it off in some style as she made two saves within the penalty shootout at the top of the ultimate.
England had finished the clash with Spain with the rating at 1-1 and partly due to Hampton’s heroics, the Lionesses prevailed 3-1 within the shootout.
It got here in difficult circumstances for 24-year-old after the sad lack of her grandfather who was a major influence on her profession.
Writing on Instagram on Monday, the day after England’s triumph, the Chelsea star sent an emotional message concerning the heart-breaking news.
‘Dear Grandpa,’ she wrote.
‘Two days before the most important tournament of my life, you left.
‘It still doesn’t feel real. I kept considering once I’d call nannie I’d hear your voice again – considered one of your jokes, or considered one of those little comments you’d make that one way or the other said every part without saying much in any respect.
‘You were considered one of my biggest supporters. You believed in me before I even knew what this journey would seem like. You were at all times there – watching, encouraging, teaching. You taught me a lot, not nearly football, but about life. About staying grounded, working hard, being resilient and doing things the fitting way.
‘I miss our chats. I miss you saying “Only us athletes understand” — at all times with somewhat smirk such as you were in on something special. And also you were. You bought it. You understood what this meant to me. You understood what it took.
‘It breaks my heart that you just didn’t get to see me walk out for our country at my first major tournament… something you dreamed of for me, something we talked about so repeatedly. I desired to see your face or hear your voice after the sport calling back home. I desired to share that with you.
‘But I do know, deep down, you were still there. I felt you with me. Within the tunnel. On the pitch. Within the tough moments. I heard you in my head once I needed strength.
‘I hope I made you proud, Grandpa. I carried you thru every minute.
And I at all times will. I did it. WE DID IT.’
Speaking on the pitch in Basel after the dramatic defence of England’s European Championship, Hampton said: ‘This team’s just unbelievable, incredible.
‘We’ve shown throughout this tournament we will come back once we go a goal down.
‘We’ve got that grit, we’ve got English blood in us, we never say die and we just keep going and we did that again today.’
Hampton faced the duty of replacing iconic goalkeeper Mary Earps within the England side, which was little in comparison with overcoming the intense eye condition she suffered as a baby.
Sarina Wiegman said of her star ‘keeper: ‘Every player has their one story and journey and hers has been incredible.
‘Starting the tournament and losing the primary game, there was a lot riding on every game, we had five finals. She needed to step up and I believe she has been amazing. It’s somewhat bit like a fairytale to stop those two penalties in the ultimate.’
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