[quote=CNN]
In sport, major tournaments frequently create legends, turning figures who were previously unknowns into global heroes.
The 2010 World Cup in South Africa proved no different, though the superstar in question was not in Spain's victorious 23-man squad; in fact he didn't even play on the hallowed turf of Soccer City.
"Paul the Octopus", from his home at the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre in west Germany, became a phenomenon during the soccer tournament with his seemingly pscyhic ability to predict the outcome of matches, and on Tuesday the famous cephalopod died of natural causes.
The eight-legged sea creature captured the world's imagination when -- by selecting food from boxes representing either team in question -- Paul correctly predicted not just the outcome of his native Germany's matches but also the overall winner.
It began with his pick that Germany would beat Australia, a match in which the Germans were strong favorites. His second selection was far more controversial, predicting Serbia to defeat Joachim Loew's team, which they duly did.
Moving on to Die Mannschaft's final group-phase match, he foresaw their victory over Ghana before correctly backing Germany to overcome England in the last sixteen.
It was the same story for Paul when he plumped for Germany against Argentina in the quarterfinals, before breaking the hearts of a nation when he predicted Spain's semifinal victory over Philipp Lahm's side.
Even when his home country was eliminated, the underwater psychic persisted, predicting Spain's triumph over Netherlands in Johannesburg in the showpiece's climax.
The true extent of Paul's incredible achievement comes to light when you consider a £10 ($15.80) bet on his selections in Germany's six World Cup matches would have earned £4,071.32 ($6,450) over the duration of the tournament if placed.
After the cephalopod's contribution to their success, the Spanish were understandably grateful, even offering to house Paul in their country and afford him a life of luxury.
Their advances were declined, Paul instead lived out his days in Germany, where he passed away.
He may not have kicked a ball, or even watched a match in South Africa, but few will have a World-Cup legacy which lasts longer than that of Paul, the "Psychic Octopus".
[/quote]
Source:
[url]http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/10/26/football.paul.octopus.dies/?hpt=C2[/url]
RIP Paul :(
He probally knew it was coming
Who?
Wonder if he saw it coming.
[editline]26th October 2010[/editline]
[QUOTE=not_Morph53;25655622]Who?[/QUOTE]
Read the first few lines of the article god damn
As a tribute perhaps the fourth round of the Carling Cup could be played over eight legs?
[QUOTE=not_Morph53;25655622]Who?[/QUOTE]
Did you even read?
On that video where he picked spain to win, he just picked the closest one
I liked Paul the octopus more than the majority of people on the news lately.
Poor paul.. RIP
DAMNIT PAUL!
Damnit bro...
:'(
Can someone post that video of that man with a weird accent nearly crying and telling octopus paul to stop?
[img]http://www.gobblin.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/darth_vader_noooo1.jpg[/img]
The best die young.
A finally the bastard is death!
Shine on, you crazy octopus.
Nobody is mourning here.
I`m in Holland
I remember that little fella
He probably only felt hunger and confusion anyway
Ach verdammt Paul..
Rest in peace my underwarter living bro
[QUOTE=cheezey;25656578]Nobody is mourning here[/QUOTE]
I am. The world needs more psychic animals to predict events.
Now lets have a silent moment for Paul:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxxtGTVZKEI[/media]
Damn, I was hoping he'd be put to good use or something.
[url]http://www.nooooooooooooooo.com/[/url]
Saw it while driving with the bus today to Oberhausen CentrO, more parts of Oberhausen have flags at half mast.
It really sucks that Paul is dead.
Not to be rude, but who thought "Hey, let's see what happens if we get this octopus to predict a game."
Germany should have sold it when they had the chance :v:
I bet he didn't [i]sea[/i] that coming.
They Ink it's all over.
It is now.
[QUOTE=Bat-shit;25656645]I remember that little fella
He probably only felt hunger and confusion anyway[/QUOTE]
Octopuses are actually very intelligent animals. They can problem-solve. They each have their own personality with a sense of play as well.
[QUOTE=ravioolz;25656026]Can someone post that video of that man with a weird accent nearly crying and telling octopus paul to stop?[/QUOTE]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxwlEeubmj0[/media]
rip paul, you made me win money in a bet
Facepunch: What is Episode Three's release date?
Paul: *dies*
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