AS THE final of the World Cup draws near, merchants are trying to make the best of the opportunity that comes their way once every four years.

In the last few days before the big game, restaurants and bars are awash with competitions connected to the final, calling on customers to do such things as picking the match-winner or top goal-scorer and offering prizes in return.

Restaurants in Beijing have prepared various prizes for customers, with free beer, digital cameras, discounted meals and soccer jerseys carrying football stars' signatures all up for grabs.

And the city's shopping malls are also grabbing the opportunity to cash in.

After spending a certain amount at various malls, customers are invited to play the guessing game, with lucky winners getting the chance to land prizes, including footballs like those used in the competition being held in South Africa.

Some KTVs are also getting involved.

"The winner of the draw with the correct answer will win a coupon from our KTV worth 2,000 yuan (S$408.60), which could cover about 20 visits," said a staff member at a branch of Melody, a well known KTV with four outlets in the capital.

On the Internet, the guessing games have become so popular that even motor companies and English learning websites have become involved.

Prizes include virtual money that can be spent online, five years use of fancy motorbikes worth around 9,000 yuan, and a 10,000-yuan deduction when buying cars.

People who have taken part in the guessing games say they all help to stir up the excitement.

Others complained that the World Cup matches themselves have been disappointing and that games and wagers make the event come alive.

"Some games are just so dull that you will fall asleep if you didn't make a bet in advance," said a football fan surnamed Liu, who is in his 50s and who said he lost 2,000 yuan in an online guessing game.

Chinese adore 'Prophesy' Paul

An octopus named Paul has become an international celebrity in the World Cup due to his accurate predictions of the outcome for all six Germany matches to date - including their 1-0 loss to Spain on Thursday.

Originally born in England and now living in Germany, Paul has successfully picked out the winner of 11 matches with Germany, including five played in the 2008 European Cup.

However, employees of Sea Life in Oberhausen, where Paul lives, are refuting claims of superstition and have added scientific depth to his decision-making process.

They claim Paul makes his selections based on the colors of the flags offered to him, since they are similar to his favorite foods - prawns and crabs.

Following this explanation, some netizens are wondering what Paul's choice would be if a Chinese flag was placed with the German flag.

"The Chinese flag might be closer to an octopus' food in terms of color, but the chances that the Chinese team can beat Germany is absolutely tiny," one netizen stated.

Despite this misnomer, Chinese netizens remain loyal fans of Paul and recognize him as "the god of all prophecies".

Spanish fans have apparently joined the fun too, posting articles online that beg him to select Spain as the winner of the World Cup.

-China Daily/Asia News Network