SPAIN: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Spaniards react to "oracle octopus" Paul's prediction that Spain will win World Cup

Record ID: 731262

  • Title: SPAIN: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Spaniards react to "oracle octopus" Paul's prediction that Spain will win World Cup
  • Date: 9th July 2010
  • Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (JULY 09, 2010) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WAITING FOR THE OCTOPUS'S PREDICTION INSIDE BAR TV DISPLAYING THE PREDICTION / PEOPLE WATCHING THE TV SPANISH FLAG / CROWNED OCTOPUS SPANISH FLAG WITH CROWNED OCTOPUS PEOPLE WATCHING PREDICTION VARIOUS OF PEOPLE INSIDE BAR BAR OWNER FERNANDO WATCHING PREDICTION
  • Embargoed: 24th July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAEWAI7DSTLIQ74DUMX8J7A5U21
  • Story Text: Owners and customers of a Spanish tapas bar reacted, some with scepticism and others with happiness, to the latest decision by the German "oracle-octopus" Paul who predicted on Friday (July 9) that Spain will win the 2010 World Cup.
    A group of men and women watched the decision live (0945gmt) on several Spanish local channels, as a Spanish flag with a crowned octopus hung from the television set.
    The two-year-old celebrity octopus, who has accurately picked the outcome of all six of Germany's World Cup matches so far, quickly tipped Spain to beat the Netherlands. It took him only three minutes to make up his mind.
    "Completely logical. Spain is going to win what else could you ask?" bar customer Leo said seconds after Paul's bid.
    Another customer, Candido, was skeptical of Paul's psychic powers.
    "I think that those things are nonsense. I don't believe in those things," he said.
    "I hope he is right and we win on Sunday. That's it," bar customer, Sara said.
    Bar owner Fernando was hopeful about the prediction.
    "Until now he has been right. Let's hope he is right," he said.
    The container Paul opens first is regarded as his pick. On Friday he wasted no time in diving for the container on the right side with the Spanish flag on it.
    Earlier on Friday, Germans heaved a sigh of relief when Paul tipped Germany to beat Uruguay in the World Cup match for third place.
    The octopus in Oberhausen turned into a global celebrity for correctly picking the winners of all six of Germany's World Cup matches -- including their two defeats to Serbia and Spain.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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