The “oracle” octopus, Paul, completed the 2010 FIFA World Cup with a perfect record after Spain’s 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in Sunday’s final game left him with a total of eight accurate predictions: one for every leg on his body.
The German clairvoyant correctly foretold the outcomes of all seven German games in South Africa in addition to Spain’s conquest at the end of the tournament, according to the FIFA website.
Spain won their first World Cup title after Andres Iniesta scored the game’s single point in the 116th minute, shattering the hopes of the Netherlands and their fans and proving Paul’s prediction right.
Paul forecasted this outcome last week when two boxes – each containing a mussel and a flag of one of the rival teams – were lowered into his tank. The eight-legged prophet descended upon the correct tank, pried open the lid, and ate the treat inside – just as he had done with his seven other predictions.
But the task of football foretelling became a treacherous one for the English-born octopus after he predicted Germany’s defeat against Spain in the semi-finals, as his aquarium received e-mails that threatened to pan-fry Paul.
Worried for the creature’s well-being, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luiz Rodriguez Zapatero himself has ordered bodyguards for Paul’s protection. Spanish Industry Minister Miguel Sebastian has also offered him a free “immediate” transport to Spain to guarantee his safety.
Some of the 350,000-member audience watching Wednesday’s semi-final game on giant screens in Berlin sang anti-octopus songs after being smarted by Paul’s traitorous prediction.
But Paul’s sensational eighth prediction in this year’s World Cup might be his last – at the ripe old age of two-and-a-half, Paul is nearing the end of his expected three-year life span.
The German clairvoyant correctly foretold the outcomes of all seven German games in South Africa in addition to Spain’s conquest at the end of the tournament, according to the FIFA website.
Spain won their first World Cup title after Andres Iniesta scored the game’s single point in the 116th minute, shattering the hopes of the Netherlands and their fans and proving Paul’s prediction right.
Paul forecasted this outcome last week when two boxes – each containing a mussel and a flag of one of the rival teams – were lowered into his tank. The eight-legged prophet descended upon the correct tank, pried open the lid, and ate the treat inside – just as he had done with his seven other predictions.
But the task of football foretelling became a treacherous one for the English-born octopus after he predicted Germany’s defeat against Spain in the semi-finals, as his aquarium received e-mails that threatened to pan-fry Paul.
Worried for the creature’s well-being, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luiz Rodriguez Zapatero himself has ordered bodyguards for Paul’s protection. Spanish Industry Minister Miguel Sebastian has also offered him a free “immediate” transport to Spain to guarantee his safety.
Some of the 350,000-member audience watching Wednesday’s semi-final game on giant screens in Berlin sang anti-octopus songs after being smarted by Paul’s traitorous prediction.
But Paul’s sensational eighth prediction in this year’s World Cup might be his last – at the ripe old age of two-and-a-half, Paul is nearing the end of his expected three-year life span.
