Paul the octopus to retire from predictions

Paul, the octopus who became a pop culture sensation by correctly predicting the outcome of as many World Cup matches as he has tentacles - all seven of Germany's games plus the Spain-Netherlands final - is going to retire.

The Sea Life Oberhausen aquarium's spokeswoman Tanja Munzig said the intuitive invertebrate will "go into retirement and do what he likes to do best: play with his handlers and delight children who come visit to him."

Paul won worldwide attention as he called all of Germany's games right - including its semifinal defeat by Spain.

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He crowned his career by forecasting correctly that Spain would beat Holland in Sunday's final.