Greece secures historic win against England amidst heartfelt loss

Greece pulled off a historic 2-1 win against England in the Nations League on Thursday, but the victory was filled with sadness after the recent death of Greek international George Baldock. Baldock, who was just 31, was found dead in his swimming pool at his home in Glyfada earlier this week.

Before the match, the crowd at Wembley held a minute of silence to honor Baldock, and after the final whistle, Greece's players celebrated by lifting a shirt with his name on it. Vangelis Pavlidis, who scored both goals for Greece, expressed how special yet tough the day was. “Our thoughts are with George,” he said. “We gave our soul for him tonight. Today is not a day to talk about football. He was part of our team. We will miss him very much.”

Even though they made history by beating England, the players felt the weight of their loss. “The whole day was numb,” Pavlidis added. “We won tonight and don’t want to celebrate. There are just no words.”

Baldock, who had represented Greece 12 times, last played for the national team in March. His teammates were inspired to perform in his memory. Greece's coach, Ivan Jovanovic, praised the players for their spirit, saying, “In moments like this, football comes second.”

“Fate can certainly write the most bizarre, unthinkable scenarios,” Jovanovic reflected, sharing that he had a positive feeling about the match, believing Baldock’s spirit guided the team’s performance.

This win is significant for Greece's national team, as it marks their first-ever victory against England. Jovanovic highlighted the importance of honoring Baldock’s legacy through their performance.

Greece played remarkably well, showcasing their skills and determination on England's home turf, making the win even more meaningful, though still overshadowed by sadness.

This victory is likely to be remembered for years to come, reflecting Baldock’s love and commitment to the national team. The players are determined to honor him by striving for even greater success in the future.

[With info from Reuters, Kathimerini Greece]