Paul the Octopus bows out on a high

Paul the Octopus is to retire, it was announced today.

He correctly predicted the outcome of as many World Cup matches as he has legs - all seven of Germany’s games plus the Spain-Netherlands final.

But a spokeswoman at Germany’s Oberhausen Sea Life aquarium said today he 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 correctly - including a semi-final defeat by Spain.

He crowned his career by forecasting correctly that Spain would beat Holland in yesterday’s final.

Paul took one last curtain call today. Aquarium employees presented the octopus with a golden cup - similar to the official World Cup trophy.

Although the cup was garnished with three mussels, Paul ignored it for several minutes as it was lowered into his tank.

He finally picked off one mussel and devoured it in front of television cameras.