David Galván moves the crowd without the sword in a lesson of bravery from Alcurrucén

With half the seats filled and bathed in spring light, El Fandi opened the afternoon facing a bull that leaned heavily to the right. After a neat set of chicuelinas by Galván, the Granada native brought the crowd to its feet with a superb display in the banderillas, especially with a spectacular third pair placed al violín. With the muleta, he worked both sides, achieving notable moments with the right hand until the bull faded. A deep pinchazo followed by a descabello. Silence.

The fourth was, without doubt, the best bull of the Alcurrucén lot. After an irregular tercio de varas, the bull improved dramatically in the final third. Fandi started with the muleta on his knees, linking powerful series that stirred the crowd. He repeated the gesture in the next round, again in the centre of the ring and with the muleta left in place to link passes. Standing up, he made the most of the bull’s nobility on the right hand, chaining two top-class series. The left side lowered the energy slightly, so he returned to the right and finished strongly. Once again, the sword took the steam out of things. The bull was loudly applauded as it was dragged out, and the verdict on Fandi was mixed.

David Galván gave one of his most accomplished performances at the Maestranza. With the second bull, he delivered a stylish opening and a beautiful start to the faena. The right-handed series gained depth, even though the classy bull occasionally lost interest. Galván kept him engaged with technique and finesse, crafting a refined and elegant faena. A missed sword and need for descabello diminished the award to a strong ovation.

In the fifth, Galván once again showed his maturity. He began with upright muletazos and then linked a strong series on the right with a bull that lacked spark but was drawn into the muleta with persistence. Music played, and Galván got close, toying with risk while maintaining calm and natural composure. Yet again, the sword cost him the trophy. Ovation after a warning.

Ginés Marín faced a third bull that lowered its head nicely but lacked energy. On the right, he put together smooth series, but on the natural side, he had to squeeze every bit of performance from the animal. The lack of excitement prevented full connection with the crowd. Pinchazo and a half. Ovation.

The sixth bull was the weakest of the lot. Lacking drive, it soon stopped and prevented any real flow. Marín tried both sides to no avail. A full sword ended things. Silence.