BERLIN (AP):

Prescient Paul, the octopus oracle who has correctly predicted the outcome of every World Cup match played by Germany, is branching out and will weigh in on the final between Spain and the Netherlands.

The Oberhausen Sea Life Aquarium confirmed yesterday that Paul will cast his suction-cupped arms wider in his next prognostication and for the first time pick a game in which his home country is not involved.

Aquarium spokeswoman Tanja Munzig says the floppy football fan will make his choice on the Germany-Uruguay match this morning, then pick the winner of Sunday's final in Johannesburg.

He had been Germany's media darling through the World Cup until he correctly picked Spain to defeat Germany Wednesday night. Most Germans now envision him fried in garlic butter.