BERLIN (AP) — A German aquarium’s new octopus oracle has gone out on one of her eight limbs by choosing underdog Canada to beat Germany in the opening match of the Women’s World Cup.
Oberhausen Sea Life Aquarium’s octopus Paula, the heir apparent to Paul, gave defending champion Germany no thought on Friday. She shot quickly into a tube marked with Canada’s flag to grab a morsel of food in an event broadcast live on national television.
Paul, who died in October, gained fame by predicting eight matches correctly at last year’s World Cup, including Germany’s run to the semifinal and Spain’s victory over the Netherlands in the final.
Octopi at Sea Life’s seven other German aquaria were also making choices about Sunday’s match. One will be chosen to pronounce on further games in the tournament, which opens in Berlin Sunday.
