Octopus vs Computer: England vs Germany Predictions

June 26th, 2010 | by: Daryl |

paul the octopus As Chris pointed out in his preview, England vs Germany is probably a bigger deal for England fans than it is for Germany fans. Mostly because the Netherlands are so much better at football than Scotland right now. But it’s still a big game. One of those games that makes it feel like the World Cup is really happening.

So far I’ve seen two methods for predicting the outcome of this Round of 16 game.

There’s a psychic octopus in Germany who predicts Germany’s results eating a mussel from one of two jars (one featuring a Germany flag, the other the opposition flag). So far the octopus -named Paul, believe it or not – has correctly predicted Germany’s win over Australia, defeat to Serbia and victory over Ghana. His pick for Sunday’s game? A German win.

“Paul’s prediction was phenomenal,” said aquarium spokesman Tanja Munzig.

“He swam straight over to the German glass, climbed in and even put a lid on top once he was sitting inside.”

In England, they’ve gone a little more high tech. The Mirror newspaper used the Football Manager video game to simulate the match, which ended in a 3-2 England win. Gerrard got two, Rooney one for England, while Germany’s reply came through Thomas Mueller and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

I’m not sure which to trust more. An octopus or a computer. But by this time tomorrow one will be right and one will be wrong. Which do you think it will be?

UPDATE: The Octopus was right. Learn more with our Germany 4-1 England match report and highlights

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http://sevilla.theoffside.com/ SevillaOffside_Joshua

I'm going with the octopus, he at least has a record for predictions so far.
http://twitter.com/worldcupreferee Andy Slater

A weird blob like creature trying his hand at football. But enough about Wayne Rooney. I think the octopus will be on the money
Bense235

The scientist in me would pick the computer prediction, if I would know the parameters. Since the “EA Oracle” World Cup was won by Nigeria against France, I just don't give a crap about computer predictions. The humans feeding them are too awry.

The human being in me would pick the octopus. Come on, how much more fucking entertainment do you need than an Octopus? He even put the lid on! As in “Kroos sealing the 3:1 5 minutes before the end”. Those fucking Lemurs were dead wrong in 2006, but they didn't have Octopi wisdom.

The Germany fan in me… well… the Octopus was right so often before, how could he ever be wrong now? Octopi aren't very smart but highly apt and good at improving what they're doing – just like the German team. So, Germany it is. I would have loved the Octopus to pick England and smack it into his face when he'd be wrong. But Octopi don't respond to insults quite well. They taste well, though. If that Octopus predicted the result correctly, I'm gonna donate a couple of bucks to the Sealife Oberhausen.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Piotr-Fraczek/1436150814 Piotr Fraczek

Why in the world would anyone NOT want to trust an octopus? My money is on the octopus!
shane

My favorite aquatic animal is the octopus so it comes as no surprise to me that this octopus is a master football predictor. I led Udinese to the top of European football in Football Manager so that simulation cannot be trusted. But the octopus, he is on the verge of sealing a huge transfer to Real Madrid, he will continue to be spot on.
eddinanM3

The football gods are with the octopus and so it will come to pass.
toedrifter

Octopus.
Bense235

*lol* Udinese? That's almost octopia city. Given it's about 35 km away from the sea, I've never seen so many people eating seafood in one place. Especially not at seaside itself.

I hope you didn't start your franchise whilst Bierhoff was still in Udinese, too. That would have been a little outdated.
http://inter.theoffside.com Johonna

Have they tried him with lottery numbers yet?
kakamakesmyday

Octopus ! of course i still cant believe he predicted that serbia will win .I wonder does he only predict games that Germany will play?
Bense235

Problem is: He obviousely can't predict draws, only two ways. But since he was right so far, there are only two-way-decisions in the K.O. stage, too. We don't even need to play the game anymore. Octopi wisdom all the way.
paddybts

Naturally, the mighty octopussy has seen much more of England. (since they've been pretty much playing underwater anyway) So I'm going with the flow and will stand on the white cliffs, waving goodbye to Boadicea. Germany 2-1 cup of tea.
Bense235

Boadicea. What a sophisticated smartass *lol*
paddybts

Mark my words Bense, there'll be tears before bedtime later today and I doubt they'll be coming from you, me, or Octopussy. :-)
Bense235

Well, who the hell am I to doubt somebody who's name is Paddy. Argch, these Eires can't disguise. No one who has Gromit as logo picture should be wrong, anyways.
Bense235

Let me sum that up so far. Seven people all believing into a truth-telling Octopus. Seemingly obvious: World Cup really brings out the best and worst within the people :-D

Oh, and let's just hope he's bein' right.

And I'm not gonna argue the Octopus chose Germany because of the contrast that image had. The Ghana flag has a whole lot of more contrast and he still was spot on. Ever since Paddy Power gives both team even odds, penalty shoot-out would be hella entertaining.

You know what surprises me the most and the lessest at the same time? People from and supporting Germany are actually having more fun than the folks in the England forums.

I'm not a Scotsman or a Swiss, but who cares whether we win or loose? We've gained so much attention and company ever since 2006, the real winner are the personal friendships made. NT football means a real whole lot to me. But I would exchange any sportive success for the people I've met during this WC.
http://www.mcalcio.com Marco P.

Football Manager all the way.

Wait, something just hit me: octopuses, videogames, and all this hullabaloo of “can't-miss!!” predictions is a complete load of bollocks. Also, I don't believe in any of this superstitious crap.

So may the best man win (aka Capello).
Bense235

Let's me summarize that: Enough people believing into an octopus and the Germans having more fun in their forums than the English are having in theirs. Wow. This must be a cold day in hell.
TheoT

I want to believe in the octopus but I'm an England fan so Football Manager it is.
http://twitter.com/Dewlitte Snow White

Nah. The article says that the Octopus has been only 70% right in the past, that doesn't quite make him a fortune-teller. He does seem to know a lot more about football than most TV pundits though…
Bense235

Sorry, gotta add, too: I'm gonna be away or asleep instead of live-blogging. Damn night shifts. So don't shout too loud. You will awake the giant.
strongeman

well.last night i saw in internet that octopus had found all the match where Germany was one player and i trusted to octopus so i put today a large amount of money as Germany winner.i suggest all of u to do the same things.thx
maxwellion12

SMASH THOSE GERMAN NAZI BASTARDS! TWO WORLD WARS AND ONE WORLD CUP!
JoseJosue

And now we know: PUTTING THE LID BACK ON MEANS THE GAME WILL BE A BLOWOUT.
PaulWCB

Well of course England won in Football Manager- FM is made by English people and, therefore, English players/teams are overvalued and made above their ability. Also, the German national team isn't playable in that game…
Bense235

You can not beat the almighty Octopus!
http://twitter.com/ninaboey ninaboey

someone bothered to create a video on the octopus assaination attempt ;p

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjvX7uVkgzo