World Cup 2010 - Paul the Octopus dies

Tue, 26 Oct 11:38:00 2010

Paul the Octopus, the cephalopod who became a global sensation after successfully predicting matches at the World Cup, has died peacefully in his sleep aged two.

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Stefan Porwoll, general manager of the Oberhausen Sea Life centre in Germany - where Paul made his predictions - confirmed the news.

"He died last night, a peaceful and natural death," Porwoll said.

Paul, who was born in January 2008 in Weymouth, correctly predicted the winner of all seven of Germany's matches at this summer's World Cup in South Africa. He then correctly chose Spain over the Netherlands before the final.

Paul made his predictions by choosing between two feed boxes which bore the flags of the two nations involved in the next match.

Time and again his predictions came true, transforming him into a global sensation who attracted big-money transfer offers after the tournament.

Yet the Oberhausen Sea Life centre insisted on keeping their star attraction - and are now devastated at the news of his passing.

"We all loved him and we will all truly miss him," added Porwoll.

Eurosport

Comment 463 - 482 of 482

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  1. He was the coolest octopus I have ever seen.I think­ that the ability to predict the winner was almost­ God-like thing.I think that it had the knowledge to­ find out that Germans planned to eat it while­ Argentina wants to save.Anyways Argentina­ Rockzzzzzzz.But when Paul died, :'(

    From rajan_cag, on Mon 13 Dec 18:03

  2. What an amazing Octopus with his predictions, but­ don't forget that it was the German sea aquarium­ and the media that we knew about Paul the amazing­ Octopus.R.i.P Paul

    From Baljit, on Thu 28 Oct 21:21

  3. he jxt predicted abt ma future a day b4 hix­ death.really a cnt believe it.miss u loadx

    From Sarah Khan, on Thu 28 Oct 14:46

  4. OMG!!! I can't belive i didn't know this had­ happened. R.I.P Paul and may you continue to predict­ the future where ever you are.

    From Harriet, on Thu 28 Oct 6:44

  5. Wao! Just like that, i was hopin you will live till the­ next world cup what a sad news R.I.P Ma dear.

    From john, on Thu 28 Oct 5:30

  6. Wao just like that!i was hopin u will live till the­ next worldcup.

    From john, on Thu 28 Oct 5:22

  7. A reliable source said that he died of heart attach on­ hearing the news of scandal amongst FIFA top­ executives.

    From Obyo, on Thu 28 Oct 5:18

  8. well said heathcliffe and skinny jim!! people who do­ not love animals are beneath contempt. i wish nothing­ good for them and they deserve nothing. if all people­ felt abojt animals as we do, there would be no cruelty,­ just love and care.

    From ansaldonixon1, on Thu 28 Oct 3:29

  9. Will he have a nice memorial thingy or will they just­ sling him in the bin ?

    From PeterC3815, on Wed 27 Oct 21:01

  10. R.I.P Paul :(

    From Barry, on Wed 27 Oct 20:20

  11. who ate the octopus?:)

    From Maris, on Wed 27 Oct 20:04

  12. so sad to hear that u are gone paul.RIP

    From Lekan, on Wed 27 Oct 19:41

  13. RIP me wee 9 leggad pal.

    From Donney Mcclain, on Wed 27 Oct 16:58

  14. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww­ wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww­ wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww dears. poor wee­ mons. poor wee octapassy, A liked wee pauls.

    From Donney Mcclain, on Wed 27 Oct 16:58

  15. rest in peace sir.

    From jwainainam, on Wed 27 Oct 16:08

  16. Bloody octopus. Ruined all the excitement. We knew­ everything from the beginning.

    From TT, on Wed 27 Oct 15:19

  17. paul died trying to predict rajni's death

    From Abungcha, on Wed 27 Oct 14:06

  18. Who could've predicted that? Not Paul obviously...

    From Nathan, on Wed 27 Oct 12:23

  19. i find it odd the article didn't state, but i­ suspect he'd probably lived his life expectancy. it­ is surprising that most, if not all, octopi have such­ short life spans. you'd think they'd be the­ sort of a creature to live a long time. i considered­ one as a pet but decided against it due to the fact­ they don't live long and tend to be wild caught.

    From ., on Wed 27 Oct 12:01

  20. i think he was the coolest octopus ive ever­ seen !!!!!!!
    at least cooler than the other ­ octopus who just sit and do nothin !!!
    i ­ dont think he died a natural death cause ­ octopus live 4 such a lost time !!
    anyhow ­ R.I.P.PAUL well allways remember u

    From Flower Queen, on Wed 27 Oct 11:54
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