Ashley Jackson scored both goals for the European champions, but it was not enough to prevent a third successive defeat to the Germans.

 

Christoph Menke fired Germany in front after 10 minutes only for Jackson to level from a penalty corner four minutes later.

 

The Olympic and world champions again took the lead through Jan-Marco Montag (pictured) in the 43rd minute, but that was also cancelled out by Jackson's penalty stroke after 61 minutes.

 

Germany had more in the tank though, and Max Muller provided the winner four minutes from time turning in a flick from Moritz Fuste.

 

Six teams are contesting the Champions Trophy with title-holders Australia, Korea, the Netherlands and Spain also involved.

 

Each nation will play each other once in a round-robin format with the top two teams from the preliminary round then contesting the final.

 

Australia began their title defence with a 4-0 rout of South Korea.

 

The hosts were rarely troubled by their opponents with goals from Des Abbott and Rob Hammond giving them a half-time lead.

 

Jamie Dwyer and Ed Ockenden then added their names to the scoresheet to round off the result.

 

In the final game of the day, Dutch veteran Taeka Taekema netted a brace to become the competition's all-time top scorer in a 3-2 win over Spain.

 

Taekema opened the scoring in the 14th minute with his 41st Champions Trophy goal and bagged his 42nd after the interval, after captain Teun De Nooijer had made it 2-0 in the 16th minute.

 

Olympic silver medallists Spain produced a spirited fightback and made the scoreline more respectable with goals from skipper Pol Amat and Xavier Ribas, but the Netherlands held on for a deserved three points.

 

 

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