Captain Hollie Pearne-Webb admitted that the three points should have gone to Great Britain women as they lost their first match since the London 2012 semi-finals.
Due to the stifling heat, there were longer breaks during this Pool match played out in energy-sapping conditions as Germany prevailed 2-1 in a tight contest.
Both sides took the knee to show support in the fight against racism and social injustice and Die Danas captain Nike Lorenz sported a rainbow band on her left sock in support of the LGBTQ community.
“We’re gonna go back tonight, look at the stats and I think that’ll show that it was a really dominant performance,” said Pearne-Webb.
“Which in one way is really disappointing because on the balance of play I think the three points should have been ours.
“However, also really disappointing because we didn’t make sure it was three points. I think the difference was just in both circles.”
While Germany – with an average of 25 – recorded a single penalty corner, Great Britain had 11 PC chances – Giselle Ansley taking the majority – but Julia Sonntag had a standout game in Germany’s goal.
GB did open the scoring from a PCA as Sarah Jones, who played superbly, turned home a deflected corner towards the end of the first quarter.
The tables turned after the break as a penalty stroke offered Germany a way back. Viktoria Huse mishit her shot as Maddie Hinch went the wrong way, but the ball crawled over the line. The shot was not as slow as the several minutes delay for the video review, which has posed problems at these Olympics in the opening days.
“I had luck,” Huse said later. “When she chose the other side, it’s lucky on me. I looked back and said ‘Go. Go. Go. Go. This supported the ball goal to go in.”
Charlotte Stapenhorst then took advantage of a mistimed trap as Germany countered to deliver the killer punch at the Oi Stadium, turning home after a speedy Pia Maertens break.
Stapenhorst said: “It was a tough first 15 minutes. Everyone was a little nervous and you’ve seen some girls obviously playing in their first Olympics.
“There was a really, really intense feeling on the pitch, but then we started playing hockey and we started connecting.”