Paul the psychic octopus ponders last 2 picks ... b4 going LIVE !!! German, Dutch and Spanish television stations are preparing to broadcast live from an aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany, on Friday, when an octopus named Paul, whose handlers claim he can predict the outcome of World Cup soccer matches, will attempt to call the last two games of the tournament.
Paul the octopus, “the Oracle of Oberhausen,” has successfully predicted all six of Germany’s World Cup matches so far — after going four for five in the European Championships two years ago. No one knows how he does it, but for a while it made him the most popular invertebrate in Germany, stealing headlines even from the coalition government. He “predicts” by choosing a mussel from one of two possible containers, both marked with national flags.
The only blemish on Paul’s record to date was his prophecy that Germany would beat Spain in the final of Euro 2008, a match the Spanish took 1-0. Perhaps learning from his mistake, this week the octopus chose not to eat from a box decorated with a tiny German flag when it was lowered into his tank before Wednesday’s semi-final, dining instead on the Spanish mussel.After the Germans did indeed lose on Wednesday night, a number of Paul’s fellow citizens called loudly for his death, suggesting that he had jinxed the team.
REUTERS REPORT
German newspapers and Web sites were filled with suggestions of what to do with Paul — most involved cooking and eating him. “Throw him in the frying pan,” wrote the Berliner Kurier newspaper in a popular sentiment echoed by Die Welt, Sueddeutsche Zeitung, the Hamburger Abendblatt and other newspapers.
“The Spanish government on Thursday expressed concern for the future well-being of Paul, expressing concern the Germans may take some kind of ‘revenge’ for their exit on the mollusc medium.”
“I am concerned for the octopus … I am thinking of sending him a protective team,” joked Prime Minister Jose Luiz Rodriguez Zapatero on Radio Cadena Ser.
Environment and Fisheries Minister Elena Espinosa suggested there be a moratorium on going after Paul: “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 the Germans do not eat him!”
Environment and Fisheries Minister Elena Espinosa suggested there be a moratorium on going after Paul: “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 the Germans do not eat him!”
“El Pulpo Paul”
Pulpo is Spanish for octopus and Paul has become one of the most loved creatures in Spain. Even children too young to understand "why 11 grown morons run around kicking a bag of air" now wants El Pupol. A happy father gladly declare he'll buy his kid half a dozen El Pulpos and telling his wife no more octopus for breakfast, lunch, dinner or supper.
Keeping His Words
Spanish-American chef José Andrés, who announced on Twitter before Wednesday’s semifinal, “If Spain wins today octopus is out of all my menus!” After the match, he made good on that promise at his Washington-area restaurant.
Spanish-American chef José Andrés, who announced on Twitter before Wednesday’s semifinal, “If Spain wins today octopus is out of all my menus!” After the match, he made good on that promise at his Washington-area restaurant.
Announcing an immediate nationwide ban on the grilling of octopi in tapas bars across Spain might not win the Spanish the World Cup, but it couldn’t hurt.
Apparently unfazed by all this, Paul’s keepers posted a short statement on the Web site of SeaLife Oberhausen announcing that the “Oktopus Orakel” will put his perfect record in this year’s World Cup on the line by attempting to divine the results of both Saturday’s contest for third place, between Germany and Uruguay, and Sunday’s final, between the Netherlands and Spain.The aquarium tried to dampen expectations by stressing that Paul is a “Germany expert” and so, may not have the magic touch when it comes to choosing between two other nations.
A song dedicated to PAUL .....
ZLBT will try to bring 2u "LIVE" Paul's final predictions for the Fifa World Cup 2010 >>>
STAY TUNE !!!
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