Euro 2025: England goalie Hampton's fairy-tale journey from eye surgeries to penalty shootout star

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — The remarkable journey of England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton from eye surgeries to being the star of two penalty shootouts for a European title-winning team was described as “a fairy tale” on Sunday.

Player of the match Hampton saved a penalty shootout spot kick by Spain’s two-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí in a dramatic final.

Before that, she saved the penalty by Mariona Caldentey, whose 25th-minute header did beat Hampton and had left defending champion England playing catchup yet again at Euro 2025.

But this England, like its 24-year-old goalkeeper with the sub-optimal eyesight, thrives on adversity — especially on a thrilling ride through three knockout rounds where the team led for just five minutes in total.

England retained its Women’s European Championship title by beating world champion Spain 3-1 in the shootout needed when the teams were tied 1-1 after extra time.

“In 120 minutes, the team ran around and worked so hard for us all, so the penalty shootout was my moment to say thank you for putting in all the hard work and effort they did throughout,” Hampton said in a post-game interview with UEFA.

When Chloe Kelly scored the decisive spot kick, her teammate who had let just one of four Spain penalties beat her actually did not know what was happening.

“I’d completely lost track of what was going on by the time Chloe stepped up,” Hampton revealed later. “As soon as I saw her run off (celebrating), I thought: ‘That’s it, we’ve won’. I can’t believe it.”

It was the latest inspiring win in Hampton’s fast-rising career that never seemed possible when she was younger and diagnosed with an eye condition that affects depth perception. She has had multiple surgeries and her vision is still not ideal.

“It just highlights you can never let people tell you what you can and can’t do,” the England goalkeeper said.

Hampton’s month in Switzerland has earned her place in England’s soccer lore.

In a stunning win over Sweden in the quarterfinals – after another shootout earned by a late rally to draw 2-2 – Hampton had two more spot-kick saves and let only two of the seven beat her.

“Her journey has been incredible,” England coach Sarina Wiegman said. “It’s a little bit like a fairy tale to stop those penalties in a Euros final.”

England has another stellar goalkeeper to follow Mary Earps, the star of the Euro 2022 title team and the run to the final of the 2023 World Cup final — won by Spain.

Earps choosing to retire from the England scene five weeks before this tournament was a surprise — and was criticized by some observers — and put more pressure on the goalkeepers replacing her.

Hampton has proven her No. 1 status beyond any doubt.

“If you have a dream and you really believe in that dream, then go and do it,” she said. “I’ve done that and, right now, being sat with the trophy and the medal, it’s a special moment.”

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton makes a save during a penalty shootout in the Women's Euro 2025 final soccer match between England and Spain at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland, Sunday, July 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Spain's Salma Paralluelo, right, fails to score past England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton during the penalty shootout of the Women's Euro 2025 final soccer match between England and Spain at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland, Sunday, July 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Britain's Prince William congratulates to England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton after the Women's Euro 2025 final soccer match between England and Spain at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland, Sunday, July 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton reacts after a save during a penalty shootout at the end of the Women's Euro 2025 final soccer match between England and Spain at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland, Sunday, July 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton stops a shot from Spain's Mariona Caldentey during a penalty shootout at the end of the Women's Euro 2025 final soccer match between England and Spain at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland, Sunday, July 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Coach Steve Kerr spoke with Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga during the morning shootaround Thursday about the player's situation being out of the rotation for more than a month now with expectations he will be traded before the deadline next month.

“We talked this morning and that’s all private,” Kerr said. “I will keep coaching him, he’ll be part of the team, he’ll be here. It is what it is.”

Kerr discounted any issues between them as being reason Kuminga has reportedly requested a trade from the team after not being used in the last 14 games since Dec. 18 and 17 of 18 — though he has been listed as injured for nine games this season.

“Our relationship is fine,” Kerr said before Golden State's 126-113 win over the New York Knicks. “There's not a whole lot I can say about the other stuff. It is what it is, difficult situation for everybody and part of this league, part of the job. We just keep moving forward.”

Kuminga has been training much of the time on his own, shooting on the Warriors’ practice floor out of the eyes of fans at Chase Center. He wears a black hood over his head on the end of the bench during games. Perhaps Kuminga and the Warriors weren't a great fit from Day 1 — not that it's his fault — and he might be eager to leave and start fresh elsewhere. If so, the Golden State brass might want to make sure he doesn't get hurt before trying to trade him.

Yet nobody has taken issue with his work ethic, at least not publicly. Kuminga, selected seventh overall in the 2021 draft, has been known to stay long after games shooting on the arena's main floor.

“It’s not a distraction at all. It’s a very unique situation but our job is just to keep playing, keep winning, it’ll resolve itself one way or the other,” Stephen Curry said.

The 23-year-old from the Democratic Republic of the Congo has appeared in just 18 games total with 13 starts, averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

On Sept. 30, he agreed to a two-year contract that could be worth up to $46.5 million if the team were to exercise its option for 2026-27. Kuminga had had a $7.9 million qualifying offer in hand since June 29 but was also weighing other options and he missed media day.

He has long had the support and confidence of teammates — like Jimmy Butler saying he has been having Kuminga over and continuing to encourage him.

“We love JK in this locker room, that's not going to change,” Butler said postgame. “If he happens to not be in here, we'll still rock with JK. I speak for everybody. We love the guy. I wish him the best here, I wish him the best wherever. It doesn't change. We don't listen to the noise, I hope he don't listen to the noise he keep coming here with a smile doing what he's supposed to do and being the ultimate pro.”

Kuminga missed much of last season with a right ankle injury. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 24.3 minutes over 47 games with 10 starts. He also scored 15.3 points per game over eight playoff games while shooting 48.4% from the floor and making 40% of his 3-point attempts. That included a career-best 30-point performance in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kerr said the uncertainty around Kuminga's future “won't be a distraction.”

“Jonathan's a great young guy, his teammates like him,” Kerr said. "He's handling himself well.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, middle, sits near the team bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (1) and Utah Jazz center Oscar Tshiebwe (34) swap jerseys after the Warriors defeat the Jazz during an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)