While Spain concluded a memorable 2010 World Cup with a thrilling 1-0 win over the Netherlands, it was Paul the Octopus that stole the show.
And in light of Spain's win, Paul continues to hog the spotlight.
Paul of course has gained notoriety as the octopus who predicts World Cup games. He correctly predicted eight World Cup matches correctly including Spain's semifinal win over Germany and their eventual championship defeat of the Dutch.
The octopus is currently being kept in Germany, so after he made his prediction that the Germans would fall to Spain, the cephalopod received death threats from rabid German fans. Yes, death threats.
Luckily for Paul, he has an ally in the Spaniards.
Spain's prime minister Jose Zapatero even went as far as saying that Paul could be granted refuge in Spain. Zapatero went on Spanish radio and offered Paul state protection.
"I am concerned for the octopus … I am thinking of sending him a protective team," the prime minister said.
German fans orchestrated harsh anti-Paul chants following their team's loss and a Berlin newspaper printed a headline recently reading "Throw him in the frying pan."
The German reaction to Paul seems a bit overboard, but at least animal lovers can take solace in the fact that Spain's diplomats are doing all they can to save the World Cup's breakout figure.
