In a game which saw five players make their debut and James Tindall make his 100th international (GB and England combined) appearance, England lost out 2-0 to current Olympic and World Champions Germany in the first of two matches in Hamburg. A strong partisan crowd was present to cheer on the host side on a sunny day with the thermometer tipping 26 degrees.
It was the host's midfielder Christoph Menke who opened the scoring for the world's number one side when he followed up on a save from James Fair to slot home the rebound to take a one goal advantage which remained until the break.
He doubled his side's advantage five minutes into the second half when he deflected the ball high into the net from the top of the circle.
England had a good shout for a penalty stroke turned down with eight minutes to go when Tindall's stick was taken when he was preparing to strike, but the pleas were turned down and a corner was awarded instead and England could find no other openings.
England Manager Pete Nicholson commented ÔÇ£Although Germany probably had the lion's share of possession, we are pleased our performance. The debutants all put in good performances, but they are at the start of their international careers and are playing against the World and Olympic Champions. The senior players were there to help them out a lot today. With everyone fit, we are looking forward to tomorrow's match.ÔÇØ
Source: England Hockey
