Paul the 'pyschic' octopus predicts Spain win in World Cup final

World Cup phenom Paul the "psychic" octopus has predicted a Spanish victory in the final against the Netherlands.

Eat your heart out all you Oranje fans. I wouldn't bet a wooden shoe against the Spaniards.

The celebrated eight-legged oracle has so far predicted correctly all six Germany games in this 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

If Spain truly beat Holland at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday, it will be the first time in their history to win the top prize in world football after years of underachievements.

On Friday, according to reports from Oberhausen in Germany where Paul resides, he very quickly plumped for Spain by scooping up the morsel in the Spanish box. The octopus 'reality show' was carried live on national German TV.

Earlier, the two-year-old mollusc medium also said that Germany, his country of residence, would defeat Uruguay in the third-place play-off game on Saturday.

In the now familiar routine, two boxes were lowered into his tank, each containing a mussel and the flags of the two opposing teams.

The tentacled tipster went straight to the Spanish box, wrenched open the lid and gobbled the tasty morsel.

Apprehensive observers feel the art of football predicting has become a dangerous job for the English-born clairvoyant cephalopod with some bitter German fans threatening to turn him into sushi after he predicted a semi-final defeat for the German team.

Paul's home, an aquarium in western Germany, has received death-threat emails saying "we want Paul for the pan," said entertainment supervisor Daniel Fey, according to AFP.

"Since yesterday our colleagues have kept a very close eye on Paul," Fey added.

With ominous signs that Paul may end up on a plate, no less an authority than Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luiz Rodriguez Zapatero has hinted at octopus bodyguards.

"I am concerned for the octopus ... I am thinking of sending him a protective team," joked Zapatero on Radio Cadena Ser.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Spanish Industry Minister Miguel Sebastian has called for Paul to be given an "immediate" free transfer to Spain to "ensure his protection." Would Real Madrid or Barcelona be interested in signing Paul for next season as a forecaster?

During the semi-final match between Spain and Germany, witnesses reported that some sections of the 350,000-strong crowd watching the game on giant screens sang anti-octopus songs. The honour of Paul's mother was called into question, according to witnesses.

Paul's celebrity status as a World Cup forecaster is expected to be his last because in octopus terms he will become a pensioner at the ripe old age of two-and-a-half. According to cephalopod experts, octopuses generally live three years at the latest. - Mark Kho

  

Chelsea Target Fernando Torres

Speculation is rife with news that Premier League champions Chelsea are leading the charge to sign Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

According to a Soccernet report, Chelsea Russian owner Roman Abramovich has flown to South Africa in a bid to get Torres' signature.

It is believed that Abramovich is willing to pay up to £55 million for the Spain striker whose Liverpool future is in doubt with new manager Roy Hodgson admitting that he could not guarantee that Torres would be at Anfield next season.

Hodgson, who took over from Rafa Benitez, had made it known that he is evaluating the situation regarding five big-name stars at Anfield who are reviewing their own futures.

In a recent interview with Catalan newspaper El Mundo Deportivo, Torres was reported to have turned down the opportunity to commit his future to Liverpool.

Liverpool is going through a precarious financial situation and it would be tempting to sell off Torres to the highest bidder. Even skipper Steven Gerrard may be heading for a transfer.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti reportedly has the backing of the Russian owner as they see Torres as an asset in their European quest to win the Champions League.

Torres himself wants Champions League football and sees Chelsea as the team that can give him the chance to win major honours.

Spain's La Liga champions Barcelona are also reported to be eyeing Torres but raising the funds is a struggle for the Catalan club.


According to AFP, Barca is seeking a 150-million-euro credit extension to help its short-term cash flow. Club president Sandro Rossel, who replaced Juan Laported in June, reportedly said "the club is not in danger and this week we will have everything we need to pay the salaries of the players, coaches and staff."

Meanwhile, Torres' form at the World Cup leaves a lot to be desired and it's touch and go whether coach Vincente del Bosque will play him on Wednesday in the semi-final clash against Germany.

There are speculations he may be dropped in favour of either Cesc Fabregas or David Silva. - MK


  

Not yet a Spanish swan song

Spain's shocking loss to an unfancied Switzerland in their first match in Group H certainly provided the much-needed "wake-up" call in an otherwise lukewarm start to the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

It was Spain's maiden defeat by Switzerland. In retropect, Spain, fondly known as La Roja, had 15 wins over Switzerland and three draws in all their international meetings dating back to 1925.

Since hosts South Africa and Mexico kicked off the first World Cup tournament to be staged on the African continent with a 1-1 draw, it has been very much Dullsville for most football aficionados.

The ubiquitous plastic horn called the vuvuzela has made a greater din at this World Cup than the action on the field. Love it or hate it, at least the colourful vuvuzela has stirred the adrenaline.

So far, Germany was the only team to have sparked some interest with a fine display of attacking football, scoring four goals that turned the Australians into "Shockeroos".

The 1-0 defeat suffered by Spain, who are tipped as joint favourites with Brazil to win the World Cup, will send a strong signal to all the other teams not to be too complacent, especially when they face seemingly weaker opposition.

Even a team with pedigree, Brazil, have been forewarned not to take it easy following their narrow 2-1 win over North Korea. Brazil coach Dunga wasn't too please with the result with two really tough matches coming up in the form of Portugal and Ivory Coast.

Since winning the Euro 2008 championship, the Spaniards have been riding the crest of a wave. Spain have been ranked No. 1 in the FIFA standings without a name to the World Cup, the only team in the world ever to hold that distinction.

The highest achievement by Spain in the World Cup was fourth place in 1950.

Under coach Vincente Del Bosque, Spain have qualified for South Africa with a clean record. They won all their matches in their European qualifying group.

They only lost to the USA in the Confederation Cup which was won by Brazil.

Players and pundits alike are led to believe that the present Spanish squad "can do no wrong" and this time around the World Cup which had proved to be elusive to them in the past is now ripe for the taking for the first time.

Star midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who played for Arsenal, was reported to have said before the Switzerland match that Spain "are hungry for the title and we can show we are the best at this championship."

Spain will face Honduras on June 21 in Johannesburg and Chile four days later in Pretoria. No doubt, Del Bosque will be telling his players that the honeymoon is over and it's time to step up to the plate.

It could have been lady luck that brought about Spain's defeat in Durban. In fact, Spain had most of the play against Switzerland but a packed Swiss defence, including the good form of keeper Diego Benaglio help to shut out the Spanish attack.

It is likely that Spain will get to the next round either finishing top or second in the group standing.

It could well be a blessing that they lose this one game and take their future opponents more seriously because Spain, I feel, still have got what it takes to win the most prized football trophy on this planet for the first time. - Mark Kho