Paul the Octopus vs Mani the Life-Coach Parakeet

Paul the Octopus.
Mani the Parakeet.
The mysterious, crushing ocean depths vs the exotic and deadly streets of Singapore.

The World Cup 2010 final is really about which of these animals is right… and which must go back to his day-job.

Paul the Octopus asserts that Spain will win the final match. This same move– backing Spain– made Paul a pariah in Germany, to the extent that his aquarium had to organize extra security. Oh, how the fans changed their tune, though, when Paul (correctly!) picked Germany to win the small final. Don’t hate the cephalopod, hate the game.

Mani the Life-Coach Parakeet is saying that Paul is full of shit, and that Netherlands will win it all. Mani is a career fortune-teller, though his experience in professional sports is admittedly thin. Still, lots of people in Little India, where Mani lives and works, believe he has the skills to pay the bills.

So, which of these beaked beasts will prove to have the more powerful precognition? I’ll tell you what, I’m not going to miss this match for anything.