football

Paul the Octopus

Paul the octopus’ World Cup predictions have cost UK bookmakers William Hill an estimated £500,000. The bookmakers, which also offers an online casino, has informed the press that bettors who backed the so-called psychic octopus’ predictions – which included the fact that Spain would win the World Cup and England would be knocked out by Germany, have netted up to £3,000. If fans of the World Cup, and of course Paul, placed £10 bets backing the octopus’ predictions during the tournament, they would have earned £200, which would increase to the aforementioned £3,000 figure if they reinvested their winnings into more bets.

Graham Sharpe, a spokesperson for William Hill, informed the press that “picking all of Germany's victories, their two defeats, and Spain's World Cup final triumph was one of the finest tipping feats ever”. Unlike German football fans, who have expressed urges to cook the octopus, which is housed at Sea Life Aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany, it’s believed William Hill doesn’t hold a grudge against Paul. However, Sharpe did note that the bookmakers, no doubt along with other betting companies, are hoping that “Paul has gone to a rest home for retired octopi by the time the next World Cup gets under way”.

• Add new comment

Related News

Paul the Octopus

Few would disagree that 2010’s FIFA World Cup has been a strange one. After France, Italy, Brazil and England left the tournament early, both football fans and pundits have been left confused by the surprises and shocks of the football event.

However, throughout the tournament, one expert has remained an accurate match statistician: Paul, an octopus at the Sea Life Aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany. The aquatic creature, who was born in Weymouth before being moved to the aquarium in Germany, has accurately predicted the outcome of all of Germany’s World Cup matches. Paul suggests who he believes will win by moving towards one of two boxes, which are labelled with the teams taking part in a certain World Cup match.

Paul has now given his prediction on who he believes will win the World Cup final on Sunday: Much like other football experts, the octopus is backing Spain. Given that the octopus has yet to guess the outcome incorrectly, it’s believed football bettors are backing Paul’s prediction powers, and in turn, Spain’s chances of winning the World Cup. At the moment, bet365 are offering 8/15 odds on Spain winning the tournament, so if you believe in Paul’s predictions, it would be worth placing a wager on the World Cup final.

Bettors should also bear in mind that Paul’s predictions are facing competition from Mani, a parakeet in Singapore who has correctly suggested the outcome of all four football semi-finalists and is backing Holland to win.

• Add new comment

Related News

FIFA World Cup

The UK ambassador Sir Nigel Sheinwald and US ambassador Louis Susman have decided to liven up the forthcoming World Cup match between England and the USA, by wagering on the outcome. The BBC has revealed that Sheinwald and Susman have wagered that their respective countries team will beat the other, with a meal riding on the outcome.

Aides for Sheinwald and Susman have been exchanging comments about the match, with the US aide writing to Sheinwald that they “will understand if you decline, given the outcome of the last such encounter”. Susman’s aide is referring to the last time the United States played England, when in 1950 the US team, which was made up of semi-professionals, managed to beat England 1-0. Sheinwald’s aide has hit back at Susman, suggesting that the US ambassador should bear in mind that he likes his steaks like the US’s past win over England; “somewhat rare”.

Staff at the British Embassy in the United States have revealed they’ll be watching the match, which will take place on Saturday. It’s believed that a quarter of the Embassy staff are American, with an unnamed source suggesting to the BBC that “it should make for a lively crowd”.

• Add new comment

Related News

Roman Abramovich

Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea football club, has accepted a public apology and libel damages over allegations which suggested he had lost a “yacht” because of a poker game and suffered from a gambling problem. In May 2009 La Repubblica published an article proposing that Abramovich had “suffered” a poker loss and had to give up a yacht, which was estimated to be worth half a million Euros.

The paper also alleged that Abramovich’s relationship with his partner, Dasha Zhukova, was at breaking point because of his poker playing. Abramovich has denied the claims since the paper first published the article and subsequently took legal action against La Repubblica. The newspaper’s solicitor, Sarah Toolan, suggested that her client “offers its sincere apologies to Mr Abramovich for the distress and embarrassment this article has caused”.

While the figure of the damages awarded to Abramovich has not been released, it’s believed the business tycoon will donate it to charity. Abramovich’s solicitor, John Kelly, told the High Court that not only were the La Repubblica’s claims completely false, they were also extremely damaging, suggesting that they caused his client “distress and embarrassment”.

• Add new comment

Related News