Knowing a victory would see them leapfrog Belgium at the top of the table, after the International Hockey Federation adopted points percentage rather than total points as the mechanism to decide the standings, the Germans instead succumbed to a 5-3 defeat.

Germany's women beat Britain 3-2 in the later game.

In the first match at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, Germany started brilliantly and were ahead within a minute thanks to Moritz Rothländer.

Goals from Liam Ansell and Brendan Creed turned the game on its head as the hosts fought back, however, and Britain had the lead at the end of the opening quarter.

The sides exchanged two goals each in the second quarter as the action refused to slow down, with Phil Roper and Christopher Griffiths on target for Britain and Thies Prinz and Paul Dösch producing the German reply.

The second half proved to be more sedate and Germany could not breach the British defence, with a Harry Martin goal after 32 minutes the last of game as the home team held out to win 5-3.

It is only Britain's second win of the coronavirus-interrupted Pro League campaign, and lifts them off the foot of the table.

In the women's encounter, Germany twice came from behind to beat the Olympic champions.

Sarah Robertson opened the scoring in her 150th international match, but Jette Fleschütz levelled from a penalty corner.

Susannah Townsend put the hosts back ahead shortly after the interval, but Lena Micheel drew Germany level before Charlotte Stapenhorst produced a winner three minutes from the end.

Germany are now third in the women's standings, with Britain sixth.

The men's and women's teams are set to face off again at the same venue tomorrow.