The Football Octopus

by Joao

Paul predicting Germany's victory over Argentina

There are some crazy things about this World Cup, and this is just one more of them. But it’s especially crazy, so I decided to actually talk about it.

There’s an octopus in the Sea Life Aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany, named Paul. Paul is a normal octopus, except for one very special gift: he predicts the outcome of Germany’s football matches. He’s been in the trade since the Euro 2008, but apparently his psychic abilities have matured and he’s on full blast for the 2010 World Cup.

This is how the divination process goes. Paul is presented with two transparent boxes with equal amounts of his favorite food inside. Each of the boxes also has the flags of the two countries playing each other, Germany and whoever they’re playing against. The box that Paul feeds from is the one that he chooses to win the match.

So far Paul has got all his predictions right, right down to the win over England. In his last session, Paul predicts that Germany will beat Argentina.

Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing Paul in the commentary box next to John Motson, or perhaps doing some post-match recalls with Graeme Souness. At least he gets more predictions right.

{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

Harish? July 3, 2010 at 3:40 pm

Has Paul ever predicted Germany’s loss? Reply guys, pleeeeeezzzzzz…

Joao July 4, 2010 at 9:01 pm

Yeah, he got them all right in the group stage, even the loss.

Harish July 6, 2010 at 11:14 am

Oh, it seems good Joao.. I heard that there was a fake propaganda about the octopus’s prediction about the Spanish advance to the Finale.. Don’t believe it dude..

Harish July 6, 2010 at 11:15 am

Hey man.. would u pleez give me ur email ID.. I’ll send you awesome mails..

emperor7 July 6, 2010 at 10:58 pm

he predicts again germany to lose spain

Joao July 7, 2010 at 12:21 pm

Yeah, the octopus said so. Maybe he’s got money on Germany, though, and he wants to trick us.

Harish: sorry, I can’t give you my personal e-mail, I’m sure you understand.

Ravichandran Muthuvel July 8, 2010 at 2:19 am

If “emperor7″ comment is TRUE then Paul is predict the result perfectly else its a fraud.

Hi “emperor7″, could you please explain us how you are saying that Paul(The Football Octopus) selected German to lose against spain?

Are you near from Paul or how did you know that?

Could you please let me know who will won the Final of this Football World Cup? What Paul predict for the same?

Upto my knowledge I think Netherland will win the Final.

Regards,
Ravichandran Muthuvel

Harish July 8, 2010 at 5:38 am

Paul rocks again.. How is it possible man??? I think that other sensitive species can predict future.. Example: just before a volcanic eruption, the birds and animals in that place migrate somewhere else..

Joao July 8, 2010 at 11:40 am

Ravichandran: they simply made the test again before the match against Spain, that’s what emperor is talking about.

You can find that piece of news here: http://www.livefootball.net/2010/07/07/pauls-picks-octopus-predicts/

Joao July 9, 2010 at 2:14 pm

Hey guys! The LiveFootball team has put some money on the octopus. Check it out here http://www.livefootball.net/2010/07/09/octopus-predicts-final-livefootball-bets-10k-on-it/

Join us if you feel like trusting Paul!

Ravichandran Muthuvel July 9, 2010 at 5:51 pm

Hi Joao,

Thanks for your response.

Let me check the links.

Any news about the Final who will win?

Regards,
Ravichandran Muthuvel

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