With thoughts and minds already turning to next season, this seems an opportune moment to review Citys UEFA Cup campaign, which took in a vast array of countries, ranging from Cyprus and the Faroe Islands to Spain and France. It was a competition that provided many highs for the City faithful and there were some unforgettable experiences along the way. So sit back, relax and (try to) enjoy my complete UEFA Cup review.EB/StreymurA truly memorable start to Citys UEFA Cup campaign commencedinthe Faroe Islands against part-timers EB Streymur, in a match which began even before our pre-season had started. With City fans having major difficulties in acce sing the stadium, the atmosphere was non-existent, but the Blues produced an efficient performance, with goals from Didi Hamann and Martin Petrov securing a 2-0 advantage.The second leg of this tie took place at Barnsleys Oakwell ground, with the City of Manchester Stadium being used by (Valeri) Bonjovi. Despite the occasional moment of panic, City advanced comfortably to the second round thanks to another goal from Petrov and one from Darius Va sell. The journey had begun!Hamanns shoulder clearly appeals to Stephen IrelandFC MidtjyllandWith confidence high, City moved on to face Danish side FC Midtjylland and they were nearly on the end of a monumental Brett Kern Jersey shock. Nobody gave the visitors any hope of an upsetwhen they came to Eastlands, but a Richard Dunne mistake handed Danny Olsen an opportunity to give the Danes a 1-0 lead. and that is how it stayed, despite Petrov and Danny Sturridge hitting the woodwork.The Blues still fancied their chances as they headed to the SAS Arena, but they came within one minute of departing the competition. Ince sant pre sure all night for City had failed to break the deadlock,but ininjury time, Michael Ball swung over a cro s that Welsh striker Ched Evans managed to flick on. The ball was travelling wide, but the Gods must have been favouring City at that point, as the ball took a deflection off Danny Califf and settled in the back of the net. Half an hour of extra time failed to provide anything, so it was a penalty shootout which would decide which side progre sed. The score was 2-2 in the shootout when Michael Johnson stepped forward and saw his effort saved. Maybe it wouldnt be our day after all. But Joe Hart produced a couple of sensational stops and Vedran Corluka slotted home to send the Blues through and the City faithful ecstatic.Hart and Corluka celebrate, whilst in the background, Shay Given tries his hand at refereeingAC OmoniaAfter the nerve-jangling affair of the previous round, City moved on to face Cyprus champions AC Omonia. The first leg was away and the Blues started slowly as Klodian Duro gave the Cypriots the lead with a Jeffery Simmons Jersey spectacular finish. City then sprang into action and drew themselves level thanks to summer signing Jo, before the Brazilian striker netted again to give the visitors a 2-1 advantage heading into the second leg.A profe sional performance from the Blues secured their place in the following round after goals from Elano and Shaun Wright-Phillips handed then a 4-1 lead. A late consolation from Rasheed Alabi failed to take the glo s off the win and City were looking good as they moved into the group stage.The City support in Cyprus was as superb as everFC TwenteCitys first match in the group stage was a home tie against Steve McClarens FC Twente side. In a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable encounter, City ran out 3-2 winners, with a memorable strike from Robinho providing an unforgettable moment. Shaun Wright-Phillips scored early before the visitors equalised through Eljero Elia. Two quickfire goals for the Blues from Robinho and Benjani Mrawurawi handed City the lead, but Rob Wielaert made sure it was an exciting finish as he drewFC Twente back into the tie. City just about held on, and recorded their first three points of the group campaign.Benjani and Robinho celebrate together after helping City to victorySchalkeBanished to Germany to face an in-form FC Schalke side for the second part of the group section, City produced what was arguably their best performance and result of the season. A goal after half an hour from Benjani, his second in consecutive European matches, and another one later on from Stephen Ireland saw City record a highly impre sive2-0 victory, and one which sent a me sage to the other sides still left in the competition. With 60,000 pa sionate Germans wildly cheering on their team, City were ruthle s in their win, controlling the game from the outset. It meant that the Blueshad gained six points out of six in their two matches so far, and moved onto to future fixtures with confidence. The full report is here.Goalscorer Ireland battles with Kevin Kuranyi for the ballParis Saint GermainAfter the excitement of the previous two European matches, much was expected from City in this encounter, but they failed to reproduce anything similar to the displays against FC Twente and Schalke. Instead, this fixture, played in front of a paltry crowd, was about as boring as humanely po sible and made the prospect of watching paint dry very appealing. A goalle s draw wasnt exactly uplifting, but it did continue Citys unbeaten run so far.Looks appealing Racing SantanderAlong with the second leg of the Hamburg tie, this was my personal highlight of our European campaign, as it signalled my first ever away match in a country other than England.With about 900 fellow die-hard supporters, Manchester Airport at 5.00am in the morning was a sight to behold and the day lived upto all expectations. Its just a shame about the final result! Producing their worst performance upto date, City were beaten heavily, losing 3-1 to Racing Santander, with only a last-minute consolation from Felipe Caicedo, his first for the club, providing any highlight. The full review can be found here. Following this result, City progre sed to the knockout stage of the competition, where they faced Danish side FC Copenhagen.Kaspar Schmeichel is clearly petrified by Micah Richardss gazeFC CopenhagenAfter advancing with relative ease Derick Roberson Jersey through the previous rounds, City came up against FC Copenhagen in the first part of the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup. The first of the two legs, held at the Parken Stadium, culminated in an exciting 2-2 draw, with the hosts grabbing a last-minute equaliser courtesy of a Martin Vingaard header. City opened the scoring thanks to a blooper of gigantic proportions after Copenhagens goalkeeper somehow managed to let Nedum Onuohas shot squirm beneath his legs. A header from Ailton Almedia from a corner brought the Danes back level, before Stephen Ireland put City ahead once again from the edge of the area. Victory looked a sured, but as always with City, there was a twist in the tail, and that duly arrived with Vingaards header.With it all to do at Eastlands, City produced an accomplished and profe sional performance to progre s to the next round, the last 16, of the UEFA Cup. The Blues were in full control of this match from start to finish, with both goals coming courtesy of Craig Bellamy, who then dedicated the victory to his cousin and best friend who tragically died on the eve of the match. The visitors were disappointing throughout andthe final scoreline, thanks to a last minute consolation, probably flattered them.Ireland and Bellamy celebrate putting City through to the next roundAaB AalborgAfter defeating Copenhagen, the Blues moved onto face the challenge of their third Danish opposition, this time in the form of AaB Aalborg. With the first leg being played at Eastlands, City had the chance to pre s home their advantage, and they made full use of their extra quality. Goals from Felipe Caicedo and Shaun Wright-Phillips a sured the Blues of a comfortable lead as they headed to Denmark, but nothing could have prepared anybody for the drama that was to follow. The first leg review can be found here.84 minutes into the second leg and everything looked rosy. City were in complete control and Aalborg still needed to score twice just to take the tie into extra-time. Surely nothing could go wrong? Oh wait. Were Isaiah Wilson Jersey talking about City here. Of course it could go wrong! And sure enough, it did. A Luton Shelton strike from inside the penalty area reduced arrears and then, in injury time, an accidental handball on the line from Welsh striker Ched Evans gifted the hosts a glorious opportunity from the penalty spot to draw the tie level. Michael Jacobsen duly obliged and Aalborg had equalised!A period of extra time followed, but both sides sensed that penalties would be the decider in this contest.So it was, and with the Blues scoring four out of four efforts, Shay Givens saved from Shelton sent the Blues through to the last eight. Another rollercoaster of a night in Denmark and one which left the City fanselated. A complete review of this game is here.City players rush towards their saviour, Shay GivenHamburgAfter all the excitement of the previous tie, City moved into the final eight of the UEFA Cup, where they travelled, for the first leg, to Hamburg. Led by former Tottenham bo s Martin Jol, the Germans were top of the league and were one of the favourites for the competition. A heavily fancied outfit, Hamburg po se sed quality in every department, so City had a battle on their hands to progre s. And so it proved, because after 90 gruelling minutes, the hosts had established a convincing 3-1 lead to take to Eastlands. Despite a wonderful early goal from Stephen Ireland, Hamburg dominated the play and the Blues were indebted to Shay Given for keeping the deficit at just two. The review of the first leg is here.Thursday 16th,April 2009. A day that will live long in the memory for any fan privileged enough to be at the game. Trailing 3 1 from the first leg, City knew they were staring down the barrel of defeat as they took to the hallowed turf of the City of Manchester Stadium, but a monumental effort, both on the pitch from the players, and off it with the fans, will live long in the memory for those who witne sed the spectacle. A full house at Eastlands,including the Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, and England manager Fabio Capello, witne sed a stirring City fightback. The atmosphere was Nate Davis Jersey electric, with a vast array of inflatable bananas bringing back countle s memories.An early goal from Jose Paolo Guerrero looked to have decided the contest, because after his goal, City needed to score three times just to force extra-time. But led by Elano, reborn again after a hitherto unproductive season, the Blues produced a Herculean effort. The Brazilian scored a penalty after a quarter of an hour, before he rattled the cro sbar with a thunderous free-kick. Shortly after half-time, Felipe Caicedo showed an impre sive piece of footwork to advance into the penalty area and slot home to bring City within one goal. But then the Ecuadorian failed to convert the easiest chance of the game, slashing over from two yards. Elano hit the post again with another free-kick, and the Blues faithful sensed that it would not be their day. A Richard Dunne sending off further dampened spirits, and Hamburg just about held on for a nail-biting victory. Citys European hopes were over, but they departed with their heads held high.The complete review of the second leg, albeit with a few picture malfunctions, can be found here.Caicedo rues mi sing the chance that would have put City throughSo there you go. In the final, Shakhtar Donetsk defeated Werder Bremen, who had earlier proved too strong for Hamburg. If you feel I have mi sed out any memorable moments from our cup run, then please comment below. Thanks for reading.