Spain bids for Paul the octopus

Jul 17, 2010 |

IANS

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Madrid, July 17: The city aquarium in Madrid has launched an audacious bid to bring the "star" of the 2010 FIFA World Cup - Paul the octopus - to the Spanish capital with a "name your price" offer. The "psychic" octopus had correctly predicted Spain's triumph in the tournament.

In an announcement on its blog, the Madrid Zoo Aquarium said it has begun making "necessary arrangements" for Paul's transfer and that it would try to beat any offer already on the table, CNN reported.

Zoo officials said they were also ready to offer other animals in exchange for the octopus and said Paul could expect the "best care" befitting a national hero.

Paul, currently a resident at the Sea Life Centre in Oberhausen, Germany, not only predicted Spain's win over the Netherlands in the final but also the team's semifinal success against Germany.

It had also correctly predicted all five of Germany's earlier results, and picked Germany to beat Uruguay in the third-place match, ending the tournament with a remarkable eight-on-eight record.

During each prediction, two mussel-filled boxes labelled with a team's flag were lowered into his tank. Whichever box Paul chose conveyed the winning team.

Officials in Oberhausen have, however, announced Paul's retirement from the predictions game but said they were considering a "host of offers from around the globe".

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