Well, this seems to be Paul’s ultimate test. Leading Paul baiters (and this include many German fans, baying for his blood) will earnestly hope that Paul errs this time, given that the two-year old mollusk has an impeccable record in forecasting. So, who is Mr. Oracle picking for this ultimate show-down? Spanish fans have every reason to celebrate that Paul has picked up España for this glory.

Paul’s unique career as an oracle began in UEFA 2008, successfully predicting in 4 out of 6 matches in the tournament. The mollusk ‘ate’ its way to glory in the run-up to Germany’s matches in the World Cup, maintaining a spotless record in divination till now. His ‘fall from grace’ occurred in the epic semi-final clash between Germany and Spain, when Paul rightly predicted a victory for the Spanish, much to the chagrin of the irate German fans. Interestingly, the Oracle master received threats of being ‘cooked’ and ‘eaten’. Support for Paul came almost instant after the German minister Miguel Sebastian promised Paul a ‘State safety’.

This time, though unlike EURO ’08, Paul has a seemingly formidable rival, Mani the Parakeet of Singapore who has correctly predicted the outcome of all the quarter final clashes of the tournament. Mani has picked Netherlands as the victor. It’s no longer Xavi versus Robben contest. It’s Paul vs Mani. Nevertheless, for Paul’s fans, the match is better than being played. Waka Waka Spain!!

Popularity: 31% [?]

Miroslav Klose proved that he is a real team player! The German star put team before his personal ambition of becoming the all-time highest goal scorer at the World Cup, as he did not feature in Saturday’s third place play-off due to a back injury.

German coach Joachim Low said: “He really wanted to play, but after training on Saturday he said to me that would not be able to take his place in the team. He was disappointed but he knew that we couldn’t allow a player who was only 80-percent fit to take part.”

Miroslav Klose was in devastating form for majority of this year’s World Cup, just like the last two World Cups he had played in. This year he was five goals away from the magical Ronaldo’s 15- goal record. And he had pumped in four this World Cup making it 14, before he caught the injury. At the age of 32, it is highly unlikely that Klose will feature in yet another World Cup, leaving his dream shattered.

Yet, he has been one of the best players of all time, and quite an unsung hero before every World Cup. Even Ronaldo singing praises of the great German said, “Congratulations to Klose, to score 14 goals at the World Cup is fantastic. It’s sad that he did not play on Saturday .I was not opposed to him breaking my record. I have made my history. Now it is time for others to write their stories.”

Popularity: 3% [?]

Did you suddenly start following the predicting octopus? Is that why you are backing Spain over Netherlands to win this Sunday’s run for one of the most coveted trophies in the world of Sport? Hang on for a moment. We have another twist in the predicting game! This time it is not an octopus, but a parrot! And guess what? It is backing the Dutch to paint the world orange!

The Singaporean parakeet had successfully predicted all the semifinalists and even Spain’s win over Germany. One of the most astounding predictions was when it picked Netherlands over Brazil in the quarters. The only time this South Asian wonder has gone wrong is when it predicted Uruguay to enter the finals.

But that does not make Mani’s predicting qualities any lower as compared to the astounding Paul. Paul had earlier wrongly predicted the German defeat to Croatia in the Euros and also the final when Spain edged past the Germans to win the Cup. Though his hit ratio was only 67 percent the last time round, it is 100 percent in this World Cup. So a blind faith in Paul is also not good, as the law of averages might soon catch up!

Whatever be it, Mani is already a celebrity in Singapore’s Little India, and his fame is spreading beyond the frontiers of Singapore. The best you can do is keep your fingers crossed and say “May the best team win. Oops! The best predictor!”

Popularity: 10% [?]

That’s what everyone’s wondering. Is a swap likely?? Does Yankee sensation Montero moves to Mariners? Yankees coveting Cliff Lee?? Well, speculation is indeed rife that this hefty towering 225 pound Yankee catcher might be exchanged for Seattle star Cliff Lee. Or to put it better, Yankees are at least hopeful of striking a prospective bargain. The Yankees are likely to add second baseman David Adams along with Montero. Nevertheless, Montero will certainly carry an array of formidable achievements with him. Earlier this year, Baseball America ranked him Yankees’ best prospect for 2010 and what is even more impressing is that it rated him No. 5 in baseball, closely following the likes of Jason Heyward, Steven Strasburg and Mike Stanton in the forthcoming season.

Nevertheless, it is pretty obvious that Montero is the sure Yankee trump card, if it believes in striking a good bargain with the Mariners. Records speak volumes for this 20-year old sensation form Venezuela— a handsome .253 batting average with six home runs and 35 RBIs in 77 games. Widely tipped to a possible replacement for Jorge Posada, Montero is reportedly coveted nearly 12 to 15 teams, according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. No wonder with the Mariners all set for an impressive offer, a change of jersey is likely for Jesus Montero.

Popularity: 2% [?]

The Yankees with their deep pockets had already snapped up the prized All-Star left-hander- Cliff Lee from the Mariners. But they just don’t want four All-Stars in their starting rotation, they want them NOW. Even as today’s match approaches the Yankees look to have Lee pitch for them and have made their intentions clear and the final decision is now up to the Mariners. The Yanks have made great progress toward a Lee trade, according to an official who wished to remain anonymous, as expected! Lee is of great importance to the Yankees with his 8-3 and with a 2.34 earned run average this season; the topping on the cake being 89 strikeouts and just six walks.

The Yankees’ trade package would include catching prospect Jesus Montero and infielder David Adams. Even though some of the Pundits of the game would be skeptical about Montero’s struggles in Triple-A this season, I’d give him the benefit of Youth! He’s 20. At 19, he was devastating in both the Florida State League and the Double-A Eastern League.

Shall Lee step out tonight in stripes? What is in store for the young Montero? Will the Yankees come out all trumps with this new inclusion?

The wise have said: patience is a virtue, so behold it and keep peace, the match begins only in a short while, tick-tock!

Popularity: 5% [?]

Anything Cliff Lee does commands attention. So when there are clear indications of him moving to Yankees from Mariners, the world of gossips have a new darling. For those in knowledge of the events of this deal, the question now is not whether Cliff Lee will move to Yankees or not. It’s about whether the Yankees will get him this summer or winter. The only difference of course remains that the Yankees will have to pay if they decide to land him in summer.

What makes Yankees so desperate to land him, who currently has five starters who are in the prime of their forms? One reason is Phil Hughes. Going on his current pitching, Yankees would surely like to protect Hughes’s arm and hope to improve their bullpen with Hughes.

This deal becomes all the more interesting since Cliff Lee will be pitching against Yankees at Safeco Field on the coming Friday night. By then, the final news would be hopefully out. If all goes through well, Cliff Lee will join C.C. Sabathia, Andy Pettitte and Phil Hughes to give Yankees four All-stars in their starting rotation. Yes, Cliff Lee is going to Yankees.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Indian cricketing icons are rooting for Spain to clinch the crown at the FIFA WC 2010 held at South Africa. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh are all backing the Spanish Armada to take the coveted trophy to Madrid this Sunday.

Sachin was highly impressed by the slick passing and the organized co-ordination of the Spanish team. The Spanish side, according to the master batsman, had a definite edge over the Dutch. Former Indian Cricket Captain Rahul Dravid believed that though the Netherlands were worthy opponents and it could be a tough game, the advantage was definitely with Spain. Yuvraj Singh seemed quite impressed with Paul, the predicting octopus. Citing the Spain-Germany clash in the semi-finals, he said, “Paul the Octopus can never be wrong. It gets everything right.” “It’s going to be Spain man, no question about that” , opined Yuvraj.

The newly-wed Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni seemed disappointed though. Though very few people would know of his skills as a football goalkeeper, (a career he started out with), one could not but sympathize with him! “Whichever team I back loses. So I will not say anything now. We all know who is playing the better football”, said Dhoni.

Given Sachin’s status as a demi-god in India, Spain can hope to win a lot of fans from this part of the world. The football World Cup has generated a craze in this country as never before, and not even cricketers are isolated!

Popularity: 6% [?]

“Why should I give it up by choice?”, asked Philip Lahm when asked about his future as a German captain. The statement by Lahm also coincided with the departure of former captain Michael Ballack from the German camp at South Africa, surprisingly when Germany is in the semi finals. Since then, the rumors of spat between Ballack and Lahm have been flying thick and fast. German team manager has refuted all such rumors and called it “a mere coincidence”.

Its an interesting proposition however. Replacements of Michael Ballack-Mesut Oezil and Sami Khedira have done exceedingly well in South Africa and its hard to imagine them being dropped from the national team in future. For those in charge of the national team, his place in the team rather than the captaincy issues will be more hard to deal with.

At the moment, as we stand a day away from Germany playing Spain in the second semi-final, Philip Lahm has to forget everything else and has to remember that he is the captain at the present. Who knows, if he wins the World Cup for his team, he will never have to ask for it again.

Popularity: 3% [?]

67 days. In just 67 days Coppa Italia, Serie A title, Champions League trophy in the bag with just 1 match to go for a probable Orange World Cup. No footballer has ever been decorated, in the history of soccer, as fast as Wesley Sneijder.

José Mourinho’s Inter Milan triumphed over Bayern Munich in Madrid, six days after wrapping up the Italian league title and 17 after their domestic cup win. Most of Mourinho Invincibles are no longer in the run for the cup- the Brazilians Júlio César, Maicon and Lúcio fell at the hands of their own club-comrade, Sneijder. The Argentineans Walter Samuel and Diego Milito have been blasted by the German Blitzkrieg. The other greats like Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso – were left at home making Sneijder the last man standing from the Inter side.

This WC has seen the revival of the playmaker, an endangered species in the age of the swarm-midfield. Classic No10s were becoming a rarity these days but have asserted themselves this WC with the likes of Mesut Ozil and Japan’s Keisuke Honda coming into a class of their own. However the pack was lead by Kaká, the most distinguished orchestrator since Zinedine Zidane, before the WC. But he seems to be losing his crown to the Dutch maverick who’s been nothing less than majestic this WC being monumental in almost all the Dutch goals.

Everything Sneijder’s been touching has turned into pure gold. Is he a modern day Midas?

Is Sneijder’s widest grin just three days away? Is this WC orange?

The wise have said: patience is a virtue, so behold it and while you wait do not miss the nail-biter between the German army and the Spanish armada. Strictly soccer.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Come September, the 5 Series Beemer shall be sporting a much anticipated M sport package! It shall be up on the options list and shall decidedly make the car a lot more exciting.

The car shall feature an upgraded sports body kit with larger air intakes with a front splitter, and side skirts and rear diffuser to complete the picture. Also on offer are larger wheels measuring 18 inches in diameter and with an optional 19 inch setup. A rear spoiler is also on offer.

The best part might be the new sports suspension on offer which shall make those niggles on the road feel like earthquake craters but shall definitely make the car feel like ‘on-rail’ corner master! On the inside, expect sports seats, a new three spoke steering wheel, new gearknobs for both auto and manual tranny variants and some added sports feel! The car is priced at around 40,525pounds for the 535i M Sport and at 53,615 pounds for the 550i M Sport. US prices are yet to be announced.

Given that some pictures of the car have been leaked into the net, BMW launched the variants sooner than expected. So much to appreciate online media then? The enthusiasts can agree no lesser!

Popularity: 1% [?]