Liverpool FC Forum

[zarababe]

Grappling straws..

[Kharhaz]

Hats off to Howard Webb. I, like many, have whinged about the standards of refereeing for the past year or so, but during this world cup, Howard Webb has been brilliant. The linesman also. Now, it doesnt matter that he was the referee during the Slovakia 3 v 2 Italy game (   poor Dundalk ) but we should be pleased. Our referees are bad, but looking at the others around the world, its proved one thing. We could have a lot worse !

Yeah brilliant mate.

It's all fu.cked when you have to cheer on the English referees because the national team is so bollox!!

I don't think Webb is that great a referee, sorry!

I agree. I dont think he is the best, but compared to the rest in this world cup, he has shown to be the most competent.

Which is why I said our referees are bad, but by no means are they the worst. We have seen so many bad decisions made there is simply no excuse. I never said he is the best referee bar none, im saying he has shown to be the best in this world cup. And he has.

[zarababe]

Lets get Maradona's grandson on our books NOW ...

[laza]

Paul the Octopus sparks betting frenzy and may get a protective transfer to Spain 

------------------

WHEN it comes to gambling on the World Cup, this is one sucker who's willing to take the bait.
Millions of soccer fans worldwide will be watching when Paul the octopus chooses whether he'll wrap his tip-top tentacles around a bait box bearing Spain's flag or one emblazoned with the Netherlands' colours.

And why wouldn't they? The slithery sea creature, on show at a German zoo, hasn't got a selection wrong since the 2008 European final.

He will predict the result of the final, but only if his hefty workload has not exhausted him, a spokesman said overnight.

British bookmaker William Hill took "so many" bets on the sea creature tipping the World Cup winner that they have cut their odds on Paul's predictions from even money to 10/11.

Graham Sharpe, Hill's spokesman, told the BBC: "This is the first time we've genuinely had punters coming into betting shops and asking staff about the predictions made by an octopus."

.
The mollusc medium, who stunned Germany by tipping Spain in the semi-final - spot on as it turned out, will today make his prediction for the third-place playoff between Germany and Uruguay.

Paul's handlers will follow the now familiar routine. Two boxes will be lowered into his tank, each containing a tasty morsel of food and the flags of the two opposing teams.

Whichever box Paul wrenches open is judged to be the winner.

Afterwards, Paul will be offered boxes with Spanish and Dutch flags, the two teams in Sunday's showcase final, but only if he is deemed not too tired and still hungry.

"We do not want to overburden him," the spokesman said.

Punters would be at least $2538 richer if they'd put $10 down at the start and punted their winnings each time the octopus made a World Cup selection.

The animal has selected bait from boxes, representing Germany and its opponents, since the start of the South African spectacle.

Fans are convinced the uncanny cephalopod is far more intelligent than your average mollusc.

Up until the semi-final, Paul picked Germany's box before each game, except in the group game phase, when its snack of choice was from Serbia's box. Serbia won.

So when it plumped for a Spanish snack before yesterday morning's semi-final, it sent an ominous sign to German fans.

CSIRO statistician Geoff Robinson said the underwater tipster was a phenomenon - of a kind.

"Odds are one chance in two to the power of six of guessing correctly - assuming that the octopus doesn't have psychic powers," Mr Robinson said.

"And one in every 64 potential octopus substitutes would be expected to do this well. It isn't at all surprising. He is just lucky, and very photographic."

Melbourne Aquarium experts say octopuses are more savvy than you'd expect.

"They are one of the few animals that need interaction to stimulate them through the day," assistant curator Ali Edmunds said, "so we have lots of toys to keep them entertained".

"But ours can't place bets.

"They are very trainable and will do just about anything."

Back in Germany, bitterness at their 1-0 defeat to Spain turned to anger with some sections of the 350,000-strong crowd in Berlin insulting both Paul and his mother.

Even more cruelly, some fans have begun posting recipes on the internet, believing that Paul's reward for his clairvoyant powers should be a meeting with the barbecue or the paella pot.

The Spanish Prime Minister has jokingly offered state protection for Paul as anger grows.

"I am concerned for the octopus ... I am thinking of sending him a protective team," joked Spanish Prime Minister Jose Zapatero on Radio Cadena Ser.

His Environment and Fisheries Minister, Elena Espinosa, also suggested a moratorium on going after Paul.

"On Monday, I shall be at the European Council of Ministers and I shall be asking for a (fishing) ban on Paul the octopus so the Germans do not eat him!"

Some Germany fans have posted messages on internet forums suggesting that Paul's reward for his clairvoyant powers should be a meeting with the barbecue or the paella pot. One German journalist said after the semi-final that he had "a sudden desire to eat a bit of squid".

That struck a chord with Spanish fans and even ahead of the match Spanish Industry Minister Miguel Sebastian called for the creature to be given an "immediate" free transfer to Spain to "ensure his protection".

[Julio-0]

Paul     

[Ciggy]

I am in Magaluf for the final Nan so it should be mad there if Spain win 

judging by the way everyone was kicking off last night after winning the semi its gonna be bonkers when they win it. don't know about magaluf though, i reckon there are 10 english and german for every spaniard round them parts 

haha asif you will find spaniards in Sh@g a scruff 

[laza]

Well the Octopus has picked Spain to win the World Cup final, so the Dutch are doomed

[zarababe]

let's hoep the dutch don't 'sushi' him !

[tubby]

Lets get Maradona's grandson on our books NOW ...

He is already signed up to MSI 

[zarababe]

Barca Actually !

[Fauxy]

The world cup best player nominee's:

David Villa
Xavi
Andres Iniesta
Wesley Sneijder
Arjen Robben
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Mesut Ozil
Diego Forlan
Asamoah Gyan
Lionel Messi

[Fauxy]

Gyan and Messi shouldnt be in there IMO.

Xabi Alonso and Muller are more deserving.

[zarababe]

Messi proved he is still the best player in the world.. by a mile.

However Villa should get it for his goals and work rate ..

[eurico]

the next spanish flag could be this, if paul got right this time too...

[zarababe]