‘Polipetti alla Griglia’
courtesy of ‘LaTur’

The World Cup is just about to conclude with a final match this Sunday that features Spain and the Netherlands (Not Germany, as originally was here, my bad! -DL), two countries who have never won the championship in its illustrious history. There were two fantastic side stories during this year’s really entertaining tournament: the first was the Vuvuzela, and all the annoyance it brought. The second was the story about a German octopus (his name is Paul) who was tasked with predicting every game that featured his home country’s national team. for more accurate psychic readings, check outhttps://www.peninsuladailynews.com/marketplace/best-psychic-reading-online-100-accurate-psychics-with-answers-to-all-your-doubts-and-questions/.

Here’s how it worked. Paul’s keeper, Oliver Walenciak, would arrange two glass boxes displaying the flags of Germany and its opponents in the aquarium, each with a bit of food. The box that Paul selected would represent the winner – and the eight-legged soothsayer managed to go a perfect six for six in all of Germany’s matches. This unfortunately, upset some of those at the wrong end of the prediction, which included the Germans in yesterday’s semifinal game against Spain.

For Spanish fans, though, the prediction of Paul is to be honored, having come true. Among those fans is local chef, José Andrés, who has pledged to remove octopus from his menu for the weekend as a gesture of gratitude to the creature. Think it would have been two-for-one calamari night if Paul was wrong?

Dave Levy

Dave Levy is a PR guy by day, a media researcher on the side and a self-proclaimed geek. He blogs often about how traditional media adapts – or tries to adapt – to the growing digital media world at State of the Fourth Estate. You can follow Dave on Twitter for various updates about everything from sports from his previous home in Boston to eccentric and obscure pop culture references. Read why Dave loves D.C.