Even a Firangi Octopus gets attention. If Paul was to be believed, then what was wrong with our own desi Popatlal who used to choose cards for us?
Check this image, Paul liked Yellow colour more

If we are addicted to predictions, we may pray for long life of Paul to live till next WC in Brazil. Average age of octopus is four to five years. But the male dies about a month after mating. In other case, Paul's off spring can be assigned the job of predictions. For reasons of economy the trend should continue.

Modi has kept the scribes busy. Paul keeps the sociologists in gainful occupation!

How about recommending 'Paul the Octopus''s name for Nobel Peace Prize?

One of the worst analogies I have read, "We all know that an octopus understands as much football as Yuvraj Singh reads Chinese literature." You could have done better on that one. I agree with you where you say that we will have plenty of desi versions of Paul during World Cup 2011. It's India. It's bound to happen. On an entirely different note, I am surprised to see Paul the Octopus getting so much coverage on TOI website and there's no mention of any person / organization who is helping out people or doing good out there. Think about it.

It is just amazing to see so many armchair so called experts are writing about the football world cup in a nation of virtually no sports, including football. To begin with there are no football fields in any school in the entire country, barring may be few exceptions. If you read the Indian newspapers and watch the gossip TV channels you would think that India is a football power house with no comparison in the world. You will never see such insanity anywhere in the world. I have not seen such coverage of football in Europe or even in Brazil. India has become the epicenter of falsification of everything including passion of sport!

Paul also gave a non-entity like you a chance to write about sport. He gave you an opportunity to write about the beautiful game and allowed you to earn your salary.

I am really fed up with this Paul article after article. All the writers are either scared to accept the proven fact that "there is truth beyond your simple brains" and billions of generations have passed on this earth before you.. Just because science has become predominant in life "thanks to the WEST", our fools too dont ever realise that everything we see, touch and feel is not anywhere close to outer realities and beyond time & space. The biggest joke is that being Foolish they consider themselves highly intelligent.. hmmm spain vs spain ?? Avit Gosh you realy look very smart mate.... Please try to read many more books and get into history & metaphysics and also the proven dailies where our great seers have told many things before hand

Well Avijitda..call it mystique.... being agnostic or prejudiced....defy science or a mere coincidence ...who knows.. but fact of the matter is Paul remains the protagonist in this soccer world cup ! Sad to know you have gone back to your shell ..would dearly miss ya :))

Paul was also popular because he made a mockery of the professional tipsters and astrologers ---all those big names, beaten by an octopus....

bad

Well Avijitda..call it mystique.... being agnostic or prejudiced....defy science or a mere coincidence ...who knows.. but fact of the matter is Paul remains the protagonist in this soccer world cup ! Sad to know you have gone back to your shell ..would dearly miss ya :))

One of the worst analogies I have read, "We all know that an octopus understands as much football as Yuvraj Singh reads Chinese literature." You could have done better on that one. I agree with you where you say that we will have plenty of desi versions of Paul during World Cup 2011. It's India. It's bound to happen. On an entirely different note, I am surprised to see Paul the Octopus getting so much coverage on TOI website and there's no mention of any person / organization who is helping out people or doing good out there. Think about it.

Nice article sir:)

Wow! I thought it was all over and done with. But while a few dumbos like you still find it worth writing about it, other dumbs like me will keep on reading. Lets stop this nonsense. Write something meaningful and useful.

If we start believing in these supestitions, then whats the need for anybody to get so much education??!! Also, there wouldnt be any need to play soccer at all....just ask Paul whos gonna win the world cup and hand over the trophy to them!!

Most imp takeaway... your tunnel vision bias against cheerleaders! Some of them were lovely, extremely fit and healthy young ladies, who were doing their jobs - entertaining crowds through well choreographed dance routines! Just because WE dont want to offer them a certificate of moral conduct because WE have convenient definitions of what is moral and what is not, doesn't mean we have the right to criticize one's livelihood, irrespective of the IQ/EQ/whatever Q of a person! Reeks of bias...

Of course Paul is the topic of discussions here, but I think enough has been said about him already, without me trying to wax eloquence or rile at him!

I don't believe in such things , its all about game& team work. if they play good , they will win ....its a simple logic.if you follow the soccer you will come to know the Sapin is the number one choice by soccer analyst

It is a sensible decision by German authorities to stop any more predictions by the Octopus. This is the way it should be. There is a limit to encourage any kind of superstition and the Germans have learnt it well in time. Our media and journalists should learn from this.