Greece captain Anastasios Bakaseta gave a moving speech in honor of late teammate George Baldock ahead of Greece’s historic victory over England at Wembley on Thursday evening.
Vangelis Pavlidis’ brace, including a goal deep into 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 after drowning in the communal pool of his villa in Greece.
And footage has now emerged of Bakaseta’s powerful speech in the Wembley dressing room ahead of kick-off.
“We know very well what kind of 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
The Greek stars had also taken a photo wearing a Baldock shirt as a tribute before kick-off
Vangelis Pavlidis’ 94th-minute winner secured the country’s first-ever win over the Three Lions
‘We have nothing to fear from anyone and we will show that 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 else and even sacrificing his physical integrity.
‘Today in the match will be our example. Each of us will sacrifice ourselves to honor him as he deserves. Let’s all be ready.’
The Greek players held up Baldock’s shirt before 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 night to his late teammate by holding up his black armband and pointing to the sky.
His fellow Greek stars then took out Baldock’s shirt and raised it into the air once again in a fitting tribute.
After the famous victory, Pavlidis dedicated the victory to Baldock: ‘It was a very special day for us because of George. We are people and thanks to him it is a special evening.
‘[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 teammates held up a white shirt with Baldock’s name after the defender died at the age of 31
Pavlidis gestured to his armband after scoring the second goal to win the match at Wembley
‘We have to play for him and today’s score doesn’t matter. We gave everything for him.’
Baldock spent seven seasons at Sheffield United before moving to Panathinaikos this summer, where he won two promotions with the Blades.
He played more than 400 games 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 he trained with his team as usual on Wednesday and then drove 21 kilometers from the session to his rented €15,000-a-month ground floor apartment in the upscale Athens suburb of Glyfada.
Baldock was found unconscious in his swimming pool after his partner, who was in Britain, reportedly raised the alarm because he was not answering his phone.
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.
The Athens media outlet Kathimerini reports that a post-mortem examination was completed yesterday in the Greek capital and that the medical examiner gave the cause of death as ‘drowning in water’.
Police have already ruled out any criminal activity and toxicology tests performed during the autopsy – including whether alcohol was in his system when he died – will take “several days” before he returns.
Baldock was training on the day he died and his teammates and team staff gathered outside the villa where he was found dead yesterday
Baldock made twelve appearances for Greece after qualifying to play through his grandmother
After the news of Baldock’s death, the Greek Football Association wrote a statement.
“It is with deep sadness and pain that the national team and the Hellenic Football Federation bid farewell 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 Britain at the time of his death, also paid emotional tribute to the Greece international.
“You were the most special father, fiancée, son, brother, uncle, friend, teammate and person,” the family said.
“Your enthusiasm and infectious personality brought so much love to those who were fortunate enough to know you and those who adored you from the stands.”
