His home team has been knocked out. But Paul the "psychic" octopus is still a winner after correctly predicting Germany would be beaten during this morning's do-or-die World Cup semi-final clash with Spain.

German fans had been praying the two-year-old cephalopod had made an uncharacteristic cock-up when, from his aquarium in the German city of Oberhausen, he chose the Spaniards to triumph.

But now even hardened cynics must be thinking twice about dismissing advice from the football soothsayer, who has shot to fame during this World Cup with his ability to pick the outcome of matches with astonishing accuracy.

The method his owners use at Aquarium Sea Life is simple.

They lower two containers of mussels into his tank, one emblazoned with the flag of Germany, the other with the flag of their football opponent.