PAUL the psychic octopus has done it again, correctly predicting the outcome of the World Cup match between Germany and Uruguay - and doubtless spurring on bettors relying on his prediction that Spain will win the final against the Netherlands. Paul’s winning streak of predictions has been so accurate, there’s now a name for it: “The Paul Effect.”
A spokesman for Paddy Power bookies in England said bettors there had been backing Spain in Sunday’s game since Paul issued his verdict.
The English-born cephalopod, who currently lives in an aquarium home in Oberhausen, western Germany, has correctly predicted the winner in all seven of Germany’s World Cup games, including the 3-2 win over Uruguay at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
The system is simple: he is given two boxes, each containing a mussel and the flag of the two competing teams. Whichever box he chooses is predicted to be the winner. (heraldsun.com.au)