Great Britain were edged out by Germany in their three-match test series opener in Mannheim.

Luke Taylor marked his first GB cap with a goal while Tom Carson and Barry Middleton were also on target.

However a brace from Dieter Linnekogel and strikes from Christopher Ruhr, Dan Luong Nguyen and Marco Miltkau saw Germany to a 5-3 win.

There were welcome returns for GB as Chris Grassick was back in action after over a year out and also Carson after his hand injury.

After the match Head coach Bobby Crutchley said: “After a long break with no match play, this is just what we needed. I was pleased with some aspects of the game and when we played with energy and intensity, we looked threatening in possession.

“This gives us an excellent platform on which to build for the rest of the week. I’m pleased for Luke Taylor, James Albery and Liam Ansell who all made their senior debuts tonight for Great Britain.”

Great Britain took the lead after ten minutes when Taylor converted from a penalty corner as he made his first appearance for GB, however Linnekogel levelled from a German penalty corner nine minutes later.

Middleton was on target to put GB back into the lead but Linnekogel was on hand again from a penalty corner to level the scores before half time.

On 38 minutes Carson put GB back into the lead again as he marked his return to competitive international hockey after his injury lay off.

However the hosts rallied to finish strongly to stage a late comeback. Firstly Nguyen put home a penalty corner before Ruhr and Miltkau field goals put Germany into a late 5-3 lead.

Great Britain XI: Harry Gibson (GK), Ollie Willars, Brendan Creed, Henry Weir, Harry Martin, Sam Ward, Phil Roper (C), Barry Middleton, Tom Carson, James Albery, Alan Forsyth

Subs (Used): George Pinner (C), Luke Taylor, Chris Grassick, David Goodfield, Liam Ansell, James Gall, Dan Kyriakides