From today's news in Australia ...
The Spanish government has expressed concern for the future well-being of the soothsaying octopus after Germans distraught and offended at Paul correctly picking Spain to knock out Germany threatened to eat him.
Soon after Paul picked Spain to win, German newspapers and websites filled with suggestions of what to do with Paul - most involving cooking and eating him.
"Nothing beats grilled octopus," said Dolores Lusch, a Germany fan who works on a Berlin fish stall.
"Cut him up in thin slices and grill him on all sides with a dash of lemon juice, olive oil and garlic on it. Delicious."
Now Spanish prime minister Jose Luiz Rodriguez Zapatero says he is worried the Germans will enact their revenge upon Paul.
"I am concerned for the octopus ... I am thinking of sending him a protective team," he said on Radio Cadena Ser.
Environment and fisheries minister Elena Espinosa suggested there be 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," she said.
Some German 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 while a German journalist said after the game he was possessed of "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".
