- Vangelis Pavlidis dedicated his goal against England to George Baldock
Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis dedicated his opening goal against England to late teammate George Baldock on Thursday evening.
The striker pointed to the sky and held up his black armband in tribute to Baldock after putting Greece ahead 1-0 in the 49th minute at Wembley.
His teammates also ran over and held Baldock’s shirt aloft to remember the 31-year-old after his tragic death.
The former Sheffield United defender was found dead in the communal pool of his villa in Greece, with local media reporting he had drowned.
Greek stars also held up their shirts before kick-off and a minute’s silence was observed by both teams for the Buckinghamshire-born Greece international.
Greek goalscorer Vangelis Pavlidis dedicated his opening goal to George Baldock
His teammates held up a white noose with Baldock’s name on it after the defender died at the age of 31.
Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock was found dead in his swimming pool in Greece on Wednesday, with reports claiming he had drowned
The scene where former Sheffield United defender George Baldock was found dead in his swimming pool in Athens, Greece
Baldock has made more than 400 appearances in English football and until this summer spent seven seasons at Sheffield United, winning two promotions with the Blades.
He then swapped England for Greece, signing for Panathinaikos and making four appearances with them.
Baldock had qualified to play for Greece through his grandmother and had earned twelve caps in recent years.
He was discovered after his partner at home in England could not get hold of him for hours, local newspapers reported.
The owner of his luxury home was reportedly contacted and found him apparently unconscious in the pool. Emergency services were called and arrived within nine minutes, but he could not be resuscitated.
Police tried to resuscitate the 31-year-old former Premier League player but were unable to revive him and emergency medical services confirmed his death at the scene, an official told Reuters.
His family says they are in complete shock over his death.
“We can confirm that George has sadly passed away. As a family we are shocked by this terrible loss. We please ask that the media respect our privacy at this time,” his family said in a statement.
More to follow.
