Paul the Octopus leaves behind an incredible legacy
The football World cup 2010 showcased some of the best talents in the game with superstars from around the world gracing stadiums all over South Africa.
The likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Inniesta, Robben, David Villa, and Forlan mesmerized soccer fans with their dazzling display on the field yet arguably the most incredible act of the tournament was one who did not even feature in a single match.
In fact the act was not even a player, it was Paul the Octopus who correctly predicted the result of all the matches it was asked to predict in the most watched sporting spectacle in the world.
The oracle Paul generally made predictions about the matches involving Germany where he spent most of his two years life.
He died in his hometown two, according to a spokesman for the aquarium where he lived, the young animal also made correct prediction in the European championship of 2008 which was also won by the Spaniards.
He became an instant celebrity in Germany as he started "predicting” wins for his home nation and as per his guess the Germans cruised into the semi-final stage of the tournament, thrashing a listless Argentine team in the quarter-finals by a margin of 4
goals.
His skills were beamed LIVE on many TV channels across the world and gained fame, for many claimed were psychic powers.
His mode of prediction was extremely enthralling for the audience, millions of viewers used to be glued to their TV screens as two containers of food were placed in Paul's tank before each of Germany's games.
One glass case had in it the German flag and the other the flag of the opposing team and after careful deliberation, Paul would pounce on the container of his predicted winner.
When Germany crashed out in the semi-final stage Paul chose Spanish flag as against the Dutch flag and expectedly the Spaniards were crowned World Champions in a dramatic finale.
After predicting Germany’s defeat in the semi-finals, Paul drew the wrath of angry fans who called for the celebrity octopus to be cooked by way of revenge.
He survived that tricky situation yet as luck would have it left his fans in grief with his sudden death only three months after the tournament.
The staff at the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre has decided to keep Paul in cold storage as they deliberate as to how they would commemorate his life.
The cephalopod was born in England and spent most of his two years in Germany and what made him different than rest of his buddies.
Meanwhile people in Spain were saddened by his death and felt that Paul was a messenger sent by destiny to foretell the greatest moment in their sporting history.
Some of the fans demanded for a substitute to Paul, they hope that they will find someone that can see them through the title defence in Brazil four years down the line.
"Another will come, what else we can do?" said one of the shopkeepers in capital Madrid
"It's a shame, isn't it. The poor thing - and after having predicted the Spanish victory at the World Cup. I just don't know. Let me know when the funeral is so I can go,” added one tourist in Madrid.
Octopus is one of the delicacies that the Spaniards crave yet for Paul there was immense love and respect, after the World Cup a Spanish zoo offered to buy Paul, but his German keepers refused to sell what they claimed was the star of their museum.
May Paul rest in peace.
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