World Cup 2010 - Octopus backs Spain to lift trophy

Reuters - Fri, 09 Jul 11:21:00 2010

Germany's oracle octopus Paul picked Spain to beat the Netherlands in the World Cup final in a live television broadcast watched across Europe.

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The two-year-old celebrity octopus, who has accurately picked the outcome of all six of Germany's World Cup matches so far, quickly tipped Spain to beat the Netherlands.

It took him only three minutes to make up his mind.

"That was fast - it looks like a clear-cut victory for Spain," said Tanja Munzig, spokeswoman for Sea Life in Oberhausen.

She was surprised by his speed in picking Spain. For some matches it took Paul 70 minutes to decide.

The octopus, considered by some to be the most intelligent of all invertebrates, got the choice of picking food from two different transparent containers lowered into his tank - one with a Dutch flag on it and one with Spain's flag.

Reaction in Spain was swift, with Marca's website running the headline: "The octopus Paul makes us champions".

  • Octopus backs Spain

The container Paul opens first is regarded as his pick. On Friday he wasted no time in diving for the container on the right side with the Spanish flag on it.

Two German television networks interrupted their programming for live coverage of the two-year-old celebrity octopus's picks.

Networks in Spain, the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe also broadcast Paul's decision live.

Earlier on Friday, Germans heaved a sigh of relief when Paul tipped Germany to beat Uruguay in the World Cup match for third place. There were cheers in offices across Germany after crowds of viewers tuned in to watch Paul live.

Normally he only picks Germany matches. But for the final Sea Life made an exception.

The octopus in Oberhausen turned into a global celebrity for correctly picking the winners of all six of Germany's World Cup matches - including their two defeats to Serbia and Spain.

On Friday Paul first settled on top of the Germany container but after a few minutes shifted to the Uruguay container.

Then after about 15 minutes he went back to Germany container, quickly opened the lid and ate the morsel of food inside.

Not an ordinarily superstitious people, Germans have become believers in Paul's possible psychic powers.

The country was shocked and distraught when he picked Spain to beat Germany after tipping German wins over Argentina, England, Ghana and Australia.

Paul's selections have become top news across Germany and around the world. Some commentators even wondered aloud whether his improbable winning streak might have begun to influence some of the more superstitious players.

But after Paul accurately picked Spain to beat Germany in the semi-final, some Germans called for a public roasting of the oracle octopus. Newspapers and websites were filled with suggestions on how to cook and eat him.

Officials at Sea Life in Oberhausen have installed extra security to protect their octopus.

"Paul is in safe hands with us," said Munzig.

Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was quoted in Spanish media reports saying - in jest - he was concerned about Paul's safety.

"I am concerned for the octopus...I am thinking of sending him a protective team," Zapatero said.

Spain's Environment and Fisheries Minister Elena Espinosa also said: "On Monday I shall be at the European Council of Ministers and I shall be asking for a (fishing) ban on Paul the octopus so Germans do not eat him."

Reuters

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  1. I am not a believer in superstition nor am I a believer­ in witchcraft and chance. I do not mean to discredit­ the octopus, Paul, nor his proficiency. I am just­ saying that rationality and animal life cannot go; not­ even in a decade. Germany may leave the poor animal­ alone and the Spanish minister may divert his energy­ and resources to something more resourceful and not­ spend valuable time concentrating on the safety of a­ sea animal which can well be eaten. Besides, the­ homeless and the needy have not stopped accepting help.­ Germany should eat the animal if they want to, but not­ because it 'predicted' much to their chagrin.

    From Tabi, on Tue 13 Jul 4:02

  2. Yes, I'm sure Spain will be heartened by the fact­ that an octopus thinks they will win...

    From Rishi, on Sun 11 Jul 1:24

  3. once holland win ill be having him for dinner

    From matteos.maserati, on Sat 10 Jul 21:51

  4. don mak it as a enemy for mankind...

    From Vinoth, on Sat 10 Jul 19:06

  5. I hate you Paul!

    From Danzie, on Sat 10 Jul 18:32

  6. Yes Aurelio,maybe Spain win their matches 1-0 but­ hey!!we win""and tha's all that counts,we­ score and don't give chance to the other team to do­ so,then what's your problem?this is­ football"my friend and is all about play and score­ ,then win,and is exactly what Spain is been doing.And i­ hope the continue to do.
    Spain to win world cup 2010

    From Esperanza, on Sat 10 Jul 16:59

  7. just a coincidence... If Holland lift their game, I­ think Octopus paul is in for a surprise.

    From Jaka, on Sat 10 Jul 16:50

  8. You people are funny!!
    First to Aurelio::I told you­ before,stop insulting.You just jelous of Spain and the­ spanish peolpe.
    Second to Stella Man:i don't­ understand why you waste your money and time going on­ holiday to Spain when you think that way.Spain is a­ beautiful country,good food,great people,best music in­ the world,flamenco""try to enjoy and stop­ being so mean.

    From Esperanza, on Sat 10 Jul 16:45

  9. If i was Holland, i wouldn't see the point in­ playing then,but if i do come and play,give it my best­ as if i could be the winner,then i'm a hero.
    So­ guys, i root for Holland,besides,that's their third­ final,and not get it would be harsh,although i really­ don't see how anyone could beat Spain,unless on­ penalties

    From coolworld, on Sat 10 Jul 15:24

  10. BREAKING NEWS!!

    The English FA have just sacked­ Capello and have put the Octopus in charge as it­ obviously knows more about football :P

    Only joking you­ know I love yas really

    From coolworld, on Sat 10 Jul 15:13

  11. I heard of a Singaporean parakeet called Mani.He­ predicted Holland to win.And he,like Paul,got all his­ predictions correct.

    From Phinl, on Sat 10 Jul 14:41

  12. =there was once a world cup IN mighty SPAIN of­ football...
    I wonder who won that world cup..
    and why­ SPAIN didn't win his home turf world cup ?????,,

    From Lucas, on Sat 10 Jul 13:34

  13. World becomes ignorant more and more...

    From mesut, on Sat 10 Jul 13:02

  14. This lordhelmut02.. and this Donney Mcclain , do they­ represent the average englishman ??
    thanks for infos .

    From herrmannthegerman, on Sat 10 Jul 12:37

  15. anything containing red will be good for the octopus

    From makosa, on Sat 10 Jul 12:06

  16. no one from you have a mind if you beleve this people.

    From Aziz M, on Sat 10 Jul 11:30

  17. This octopus is racist. I say grill it and serve it­ with sweet chili sauce..

    From Half A Brain, on Sat 10 Jul 10:08

  18. well that is true A "Giant German machiene­ playeres team get lost easly" were unbeleavable­
    also i am just asking why they changed the german­ players cloths to white insteade of their­ original
    black every factore will affect the­ performance
    and finnaly the german team should kill­ themselves But not to lose against the lower spanish­ team

    From Dler, on Sat 10 Jul 10:07

  19. Could this be the reason for Germany's pathetic­ performance. The simply frooze,allowing Spain create­ and miss one goal scoring oppurtunity after another.

    From Kaycee, on Sat 10 Jul 9:13

  20. I am thinking of putting some money on a horse tomorrow­ at Chester, any chance I can borrow Paul?

    From Duncan, on Sat 10 Jul 8:58
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