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In the tradition of Paul the Psychic Octopus, who showed a remarkable ability to pick winning teams during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, various animals have been enlisted to help predict the winning teams for this year's Euro 2012 Tournament. One of these animals is Funtik, a Ukrainian pig who predicts the outcomes of matches by eating out of a bowl bearing the winning team's flag. Last Friday, as preparations were being made to feed Funtik so that he could predict the result of a match between Portugal and the Czech Republic, a protester burst into his pen. She proceeded to remove her shirt and began shouting slogans denouncing the tournament.
Funtik seemed unmoved by the protest, and the display apparently did nothing to blunt his psychic powers. He ate from the bowl representing Portugal, and Portugal did indeed go on to win the match. It remains to be seen whether or not his predictions remain accurate throughout the tournament, topless protesters notwithstanding.
In the tradition of Paul the Psychic Octopus, who showed a remarkable ability to pick winning teams during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, various animals have been enlisted to help predict the winning teams for this year's Euro 2012 Tournament. One of these animals is Funtik, a Ukrainian pig who predicts the outcomes of matches by eating out of a bowl bearing the winning team's flag. Last Friday, as preparations were being made to feed Funtik so that he could predict the result of a match between Portugal and the Czech Republic, a protester burst into his pen. She proceeded to remove her shirt and began shouting slogans denouncing the tournament.
Funtik is given two bowls daily to eat from, each marked with the national flag of two teams playing each other at the finals. Those who have faith in his psychic powers say the bowl he eats from first will prove to be the winner on the night.
But even before a fan zone steward could bring in his food - a bowlful each for Portugal and the Czech Republic - an activist from feminist group Femen barged into the pen. Olexandra Nemchinova, 31, threw off her blouse to reveal the words "F... Euro 2012" on her torso and began shouting slogans denouncing the tournament, being co-hosted by Ukraine and Poland. Stewards led Ms Nemchinova out of the pen and handed her over to the local police.
The group carries out topless protests to highlight the growth of the sex industry in Ukraine and has targeted the championship - which it says feeds sex tourism - and UEFA president Michel Platini.
Funtik seemed unmoved by the protest, and the display apparently did nothing to blunt his psychic powers. He ate from the bowl representing Portugal, and Portugal did indeed go on to win the match. It remains to be seen whether or not his predictions remain accurate throughout the tournament, topless protesters notwithstanding.
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