Hampton Reveals Arm-Writing Strategy to Secure Notes

During last month’s European Championship final penalty shootout, Spain’s goalkeeper Cata Coll found herself without her crucial tactical notes after England’s Hannah Hampton tossed the bottle they were on into the crowd.

Hampton substituted Coll’s bottle with her own. The 24-year-old Chelsea player assisted England in securing their second consecutive continental title, defeating the world champions 3-1 in the shootout following a 1-1 draw in Basel.

“It wasn’t difficult. When she’s in the goal it’s on its own… you just pick it up,” Hampton stated in an interview.

“I simply put my bottle there and threw hers into the stands, leaving her with an empty one. She began searching for it, walking back as I walked the other way. She was extremely confused, and I struggled to contain my laughter.”

Previously, Australia’s goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne employed similar tactics against his Peruvian counterpart, Pedro Gallese, during a qualifying playoff for the 2022 World Cup. Redmayne’s save on the final penalty secured Australia’s 5-4 shootout victory.

Before Hampton saved two crucial spot-kicks and Spain’s Salma Paralluelo missed, Coll managed to save Beth Mead’s re-taken penalty, giving Spain an initial advantage.

Hampton explained that she prefers writing her notes on her arm to ensure their safety.

“I never place them on a bottle because that’s something anyone could interfere with,” she added.