Before the match commenced, a poignant moment unfolded as both teams and the entire stadium came together to honor the memory of Baldock, who tragically passed away this week at the age of 31.
The visiting team appeared in a white Greece home jersey emblazoned with ‘BALDOCK 2’ on the back. Baldock, who was born in England and earned Greek nationality through his grandmother, earned 12 caps for the national team.
As a photograph of Baldock was displayed on the stadium’s large screens, the England players stood at the edge of the center circle applauding, while the Greece team formed a circle with their arms linked. After announcements were made in both English and Greek, a minute of silence was observed throughout the stadium in a fitting tribute.
Among the England fans, a flag featuring the Greece emblem alongside a Sheffield United badge was raised, highlighting the support for the former defender who played for Milton Keynes Dons, Sheffield United, and Panathinaikos.
Tributes continued during the match, with Pavlidis displaying a black armband in celebration after scoring the opening goal. His teammates joined him in lifting the ‘BALDOCK 2’ shirt towards the sky, ensuring that the memory of the full-back remained alive.