Time for ousted Germans to dine on the wise octopus

Spain fans hold up signs reading "Germans, the Octopus' prediction will come true" before the 2010 World Cup semi-final soccer match between Germany and Spain at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban July 7, 2010. [Agencies]

The next trend in Germany, I believe, will not be the V-neck blue sweater, but the octopus barbecue.

The sweater failed to bring luck to German coach Joachim Loew. Instead the World Cup semifinal match between Spain and Germany went the way Octopus Paul had predicted - a Spanish victory.

I blame the defeat on Paul. Maybe the creature's prediction that Spain would win had a psychological effect on the Germans. Whatever, octopus will be on the menu in every German restaurant now.

Hours before the match, I was hoping the octopus, which had a 91 percent success rate in tips, would be wrong this time - as it was in the 2008 Euro final. But the eight-legged one got it right as the Germans fell to the Spaniards again, repeating their Euro 2008 victory.

The exception was that the goal came from Carlos Puyol instead of Fernando Torres.

I have to admit Spain outplayed Germany with excellent skills and great footwork. I wonder if even Brazil can currently be a match for the world's pass masters.

Rarely can a game of such magnitude have been so one-sided, at least in the first half. The domination was so thorough that you only saw the players in red shirts touching the ball most of the time.

And the Spaniards made the Germans look a shadow of the team whose pace and power had demolished Australia, England and Argentina and made me believe it would be crowned in South Africa; and that Thomas Mueller would be a world champion in his World Cup debut.

The youngest German team in 24 years had shown to the world what it could do with excellent attacking play and a hatful of goals. But nerves, fatigue and the Spanish defense nullified any threats.

Spain dominated the midfield and controlled most of the possession in the first half; though unable to convert its superiority into goals. Germany was under pressure all the time, relying on its counter-attacks to trouble the Spanish defense.

Now, Spain will seek to add the World Cup, the first ever if it does win, to its European Championship and fulfill the destiny of a passionate soccer nation when it takes on the Netherlands in the final on Sunday.

Two year-old octopus Paul, the so-called "octopus oracle" predicts Spain's victory in their 2010 World Cup semi-final soccer match against Germany by choosing a mussel, from a glass box decorated with the Spanish national flag instead of a glass box with the German flag, at the Sea Life Aquarium in the western German city of Oberhausen July 6, 2010. [Agencies]

It all comes down to one game and then we will know which is the best team in the world.

The Netherlands is the only team unbeaten in this World Cup. It has been consistent with a high standard of play and tempo throughout and has risen to the occasion at the right time, especially against Brazil.

Much more fancied than the Dutch, Spain displayed tremendous patience in matches against Paraguay, Portugal and then Germany. The team's players and fans will not accept second place.

Whichever team wins in South Africa will be a World Cup champion for the first time.

By the way, forget crystal balls or tarot cards. Next time, if your want to pick a winner ask Octopus Paul.