Octopus Paul predicts Spain to win WC

Agencies

New Delhi, 09 July 2010: It seems the animal kingdom is backing two different teams when it comes to picking the winner of the 2010 Football World Cup. Barely a couple of hours after Mani the parakeet picked Holland as its choice, Octopus Paul has yet again forecast a Spanish victory in the title fight that will be held at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday.

The octopus, who has already attained a celebrity status, completely ignored the Dutch tank at the German Aquarium in Oberhausen and indicated his preferance for the Spanish flag by quickly polishing off the mussel from their tank.

 

 

Paul has been predicting results involving Germany throughout the tournament and had predicted Germany’s loss to Spain in the semi finals as well, much to the dismay of the German fans.

But Paul on Friday gave them a ray of hope as well as he predicted a German win in the battle for third place against Uruguay that is slated to be played on Saturday. Germany had also finished third in the previous edition of the tournament when they had played host in 2006.

Being a celebrity has its flip side as well. It has not taken him long to become the villain of the piece as the Germans came up second best against Spain. Having said that, he has now got a new fan following among the Spaniards and the Spanish Prime Minister has even offered ’state protection’ to the eight-legged creature.