Hannah Hampton, the England goalkeeper, experienced a lighthearted interruption during a post-match press conference following England's dramatic Euro 2025 semi-final victory over Sweden. The Lionesses secured a spot in the semi-final after a penalty shootout, with Hampton playing a crucial role.
Hampton was named UEFA's player of the match after making key saves during the initial 90 minutes and then stopping two penalties in the shootout. As she addressed the media, her phone rang, revealing a FaceTime call. Hampton paused, informing the person on the other end that she was in a press conference. In a charming moment, she turned the phone around so her friends and family could wave to the room.
The interruption occurred after Hampton had answered the first couple of questions. "I've got a FaceTime, hold on,” she told the journalists present. She then spoke to the caller, "Paul, I'm in a presser... I'll call you back Blue". Hampton then apologized for the interruption, explaining, "I never answer my phone and it was just going off in my pocket. So I do apologize for that". She confirmed to the room that it was her friends and family back home, all watching the game together.
Amidst the excitement of the shootout, Hampton admitted that she couldn't recall a significant first-half save from Fridolina Rolfo, which had kept England within two goals. "I've just played 120 minutes, I don't think I remember what happened in the first 45!" she exclaimed. She explained her strategy of focusing on the next action and reviewing events later.
During the match, England had to make several changes to their defensive lineup, including Leah Williamson's withdrawal due to an ankle injury. Despite the challenges and being 2-0 down at one point, Hampton emphasized that there was no internal conflict within the team. "I don't really think we needed to tell everyone to switch on. I think everyone knew what the outcome would have been if the scoreline stayed 2-0," she noted. She highlighted the team's determination to avoid going home and their commitment to supporting each other, regardless of mistakes.
Hampton successfully denied Filippa Angeldahl and Sofia Jakobsson from the penalty spot, while Magda Eriksson, Jeniffer Falk, and Smilla Holmberg all missed their targets. England's comeback, fueled by late goals from Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang, set the stage for the dramatic penalty shootout victory.
Following the match, Hampton expressed her initial surprise when she realized she had no data on one of the Swedish players. However, she praised the player's performance and bravery in stepping up for Sweden. When asked if she was tempted to take a penalty herself, Hampton admitted her striker instincts sometimes emerge, but she is instructed to focus on saving first.
