OBERHAUSEN, Germany: Paul, an aquarium octopus which correctly predicted the results of eight World Cup football matches in succession this summer, has died, the Sealife Oberhausen visitor attraction in Germany said.

Spain hailed Paul as a national treasure after the animal twice picked the Spaniards as winners, first against Germany then over the Dutch in the final. The animal died in his pool in the night between Monday and Tuesday.

Aquarium staff employed Paul as an oracle by giving him a choice of two plastic buckets, each marked with a national flag, and seeing which one he reached into first for his favourite food, shellfish.

Some of the losing nations at the football fest in South Africa blamed Paul for their defeat and wanted to turn him into calamari rings. Others offered high sums to buy the aquarium star, but the Sealife chain said he was too old to go.