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Maradona glee at Paul's death

Berlin - Diego Maradona has come forward saying he is pleased that Paul the psychic Octopus is dead.

"I am happy you're gone psychic Octopus, it's your fault we lost the Soccer World Cup," the former Argentina coach Maradona tweeted on Tuesday.

Paul gained worldwide fame at the Soccer World Cup by correctly predicting the winner of Germany's seven games in South Africa and the final between Spain and the Netherlands as well.

The games included Germany's quarter-final against Argentina, which the Germans won 4-0 to end Maradona's term as coach.

The predictions were made by lowering boxes into Paul's tank, each containing a mussel and a flag of the two teams. The box from which he ate the mussel was deemed to be the winner.

Paul died early on Tuesday of natural causes. His passing was mourned by the world football community and the aquarium in Oberhausen announced it would set up a small monument in his honour.

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