He's probably the most unlikely star ever to emerge from a World Cup – it's Paul the Oracle Octopus!
The 'psychic octopus' from the SeaLife aquarium in Oberhausen has become famous across the globe for unerringly predicting the winners of games at the tournament in South Africa.
Now BILD gets up close and personal with the new star!
US news giant CNN is of course reporting on the ‘octupus vulgaris’, as it is known by its biological name. In the country of the disappointed ex-world champions Italy – who crashed out in the first round – Paul now has more fans than the national team and is often featured on state broadcaster RAI.
And even in faraway China, they are not only thinking of a menu whenever octopus is mentioned, according to the ‘China Daily’.
Paul has just tipped Spain to be the new world champions by beating Holland in Sunday's final, while he also predicted Germany would win the third place playoff against Uruguay. Many German fans wanted to kidnap, barbeque or broil him after he correctly predicted the semi-final loss to Spain.
But there is top security at his aquarium. He even has his own watchman during opening hours!
BILD
