'Psychic octopus' to predict final - if not tired

Paul the 'psychic' octopus, who has become a global star after correctly forecasting all six of Germany's World Cup games, will predict the final, but only if his hefty workload has not exhausted him.

The mollusc medium, who stunned Germany by tipping Spain in the semi-final - spot on as it turned out, will on Friday make his prediction for the third-place Germany match with Uruguay, a spokesman for his aquarium told AFP.

Paul's handlers will follow the now familiar routine. Two boxes will be lowered into his tank, each containing a tasty morsel of food and the flags of the two opposing teams.

Whichever box Paul wrenches open is adjudged to be the winner.

Afterwards, Paul will be offered boxes with Spanish and Dutch flags, the two teams in Sunday's showcase final, but only if he is deemed not too tired and still hungry, the spokesman said. "We do not want to overburden him," the spokesman said.

The eight-legged oracle forecast German wins over Australia, Argentina, England and Ghana. Proving he is not just attracted to the German flag, he also correctly predicted losses to Serbia and Spain, the latter live on national TV.

But as many World Cup stars have discovered in South Africa, the footballing gods can quickly snatch fame and favour away.

Bitterness at Germany's 1-0 defeat to Spain turned to anger with some sections of the 350,000-strong crowd in Berlin insulting both Paul and his mother.

Even crueller, some fans have begun posting recipes on the Internet, believing that Paul's reward for his clairvoyant powers should be a meeting with the barbecue or the paella pot.

BERLIN, Thursday (AFP)