Greece captain Anastasios Bakaseta gave an emotional speech in honor of his late teammate George Baldock ahead of Greece’s historic victory over England at Wembley on Thursday night.
Vangelis Pavlidis’ brace, including an injury-time goal, secured the country’s first victory 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 now footage has emerged of Bakaseta’s powerful speech in the away dressing room at Wembley before kick-off.
“We know very well what team we are and what we have achieved to get here,” Bakaseta told his teammates.
Greece’s historic victory over England was inspired by Anastasios Bakaseta’s moving speech in honor of George Baldock.
Greece’s stars also took a photo wearing a Baldock jersey before kick-off as they paid tribute.
Vangelis Pavlidis’ 94th-minute goal secured the country’s first victory over the Three Lions.
‘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 everything and even sacrificing his physical integrity.
‘Today in the game will be our example. Each of us will sacrifice to honor him as he deserves. Let’s all be ready.’
Greece’s players held Baldock’s shirt aloft before kick-off and both teams held a minute’s silence to remember the former Sheffield United full-back.
Pavlidis then dedicated his first goal of the afternoon to his late teammate by raising his black armband and pointing it to the sky.
His fellow Greece stars then pulled out Baldock’s jersey and raised it in the air once again in another well-deserved tribute.
After the famous victory, Pavlidis dedicated it 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’ve thought a lot about Baldock) since we heard it yesterday. A difficult time for us because George was part of the team. Special boy.
His teammates held aloft a white T-shirt with Baldock’s name after the defender’s death at age 31.
Pavlidis gestured towards his armband after scoring the second goal to win the game at Wembley.
“We have to play for him and today the result doesn’t matter.” We gave everything for him.”
Baldock spent seven seasons with Sheffield United, before moving to Panathinaikos this summer, earning 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 understood that on Wednesday he trained as usual with his team and then drove 21 kilometers from the session to his rented ground-floor apartment for 15,000 euros a month in the luxurious Athens suburb of Glyfada.
Baldock was found unconscious in his pool after his partner, who was in the UK, allegedly raised the alarm because he wasn’t answering his phone.
Police attempted CPR on the 31-year-old former Premier League player but were unable to revive him and emergency medical units confirmed his death at the scene, an official told Reuters.
Athenian media outlet Kathimerini reports that a post-mortem examination was completed yesterday in the Greek capital and the medical examiner listed the cause of death as “water drowning.”
Police have already ruled out any criminal activity and toxicological tests carried out during the autopsy, including the presence of alcohol in his system when he died, will take “several days” to give results.
Baldock trained on the day of his death 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 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 premature loss of one of our young people. The moment demands silence.
‘My deepest condolences to his family. Condolences from your second family. Bye bye’.
Baldcock’s family, who were back in the UK at the time of his death, also paid an emotional tribute to the Greece international.
“You were the most special father, fiancé, son, brother, uncle, friend, teammate and person,” the family said.
“Your enthusiasm and infectious personality brought so much love to those who were lucky enough to know you and to those who adored you from the stands.”
