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Octopus oracle Paul to retire

Berlin - No more Soccer World Cup, no more octopus oracle.

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

The Sea Life Oberhausen aquarium's spokesperson Tanja Munzig told AP Television News on Monday that 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 semi-final defeat by Spain. He crowned his career by forecasting correctly that Spain would beat Holland in Sunday's final.

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