Greece captain Anastasios Bakaseta delivered a moving speech in honour of late team-mate George Baldock ahead of Greece’s historic win over England at Wembley on Thursday night.
Vangelis Pavlidis’ brace, including a strike deep in stoppage time, secured the country’s first-ever win over the Three Lions.
The emotional victory came just 24 hours after Baldock was found dead in the communal pool of his villa in Greece after drowning.
And footage has now emerged of Bakaseta’s powerful speech in the away dressing room away Wembley prior to kick-off.
‘We know very well what a team we are and what we have achieved to get here,’ Bakaseta told his team-mates.
Greece’s historic win over England was inspired by moving Anastasios Bakaseta speech to honour George Baldock
Greece’s stars also had taken a photo with a Baldock shirt ahead of kick-off as they paid tribute
‘We have nothing to fear from anyone and we are going to show it from the first minute. We know the specificity of the game, many of us know what George means.
‘George has always been an example for the team, giving his soul, putting the team above all and even sacrificing his physical integrity.
‘Today in the game will be our example. Each of us will sacrifice ourselves to honor him as he deserves. Let’s all be ready.’
The Greece players held Baldock’s shirt aloft ahead of kick-off and both teams observed a minute’s silence to remember the former Sheffield United full-back.
Pavlidis then dedicated his first goal of the evening to his late team-mate by holding his black armband aloft and pointing to the sky.
His fellow Greece stars then brought out Baldock’s shirt and raised it into the air once more in another fitting tribute.
Following the famous win, Pavlidis devoted the win to Baldock: ‘It was a really special day for us because of George. We are people and it’s a special night because of him.
‘[We have thought about Baldock] a lot since we heard it yesterday. A difficult moment for us because George was part of the team. Special guy.
His team-mates held aloft a white shirt bearing Baldock’s name after the defender died aged 31
Pavlidis gestured to his armband after scoring the second goal to win the match at Wembley
‘We have to play for him and it doesn’t matter the score today. We gave everything for him.’
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EXCLUSIVE
George Baldock’s heartbroken fiancé pays an emotional tribute to the footballer
Baldock spent seven seasons with Sheffield United – before moving to Panathinaikos this summer – winning two promotions with the Blades.
He made over 400 appearances in English football and also earned 12 caps for Greece after qualifying to play for the national team through his grandmother.
It is known that he trained as usual with his team on Wednesday and then drove 13 miles from the session to his rented ground floor 15,000 Euro-per-month apartment in the upmarket Athens suburb of Glyfada.
Baldock was found unresponsive in his pool after his partner, who was in the UK, reportedly raised the alarm because he was not answering his phone.
Police tried cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the 31-year-old former Premier League player but could not revive him and medical emergency units confirmed his death at the scene, one official told Reuters.
Athens media outlet Kathimerini reports that a post-mortem examination was completed in the Greek capital yesterday and the cause of death has been given as ‘drowning in water’ by the medical examiner.
Police have already ruled out any criminal activity and toxicology tests taken during the autopsy – including whether alcohol was present in his system when he died – will take ‘several days’ to come back.
Baldock trained on the day he died and his teammates and team staff gathered outside the villa where he was found dead yesterday
Baldock featured 12 times for Greece after qualifying to play through through his grandmother
Following the news of Baldock’s death, the Hellenic Football Federation wrote a statement.
‘With deep sadness and pain, the National Team and the Hellenic Football Federation say goodbye to George Baldock,’ they wrote.
‘There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the untimely loss of one of our young people. The moment calls for silence.
‘Condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family. Goodbye’.
Baldcock’s family, who were back in the UK during the time of his death, also paid an emotional tribute to the Greece international.
‘You were the most special father, fiance, son, brother, uncle, friend, teammate and person,’ the family said.
‘Your enthusiasm and infectious personality brought so much love to those that were fortunate enough to know you and those that adored you from the stands’.
