Competition system
- 64 teams from countries affiliated to FIBA Europe enter a Regional Qualifying Round (RQR), distributed in three major conferences (North, South and West) according to their geographical location. Within easch conference, the teams are further divided into groups and play a Round-robin. The final standing is based on individual wins and defeats. In case of a tie between two or more teams after this group stage, the following criteria is used to decide the final classification: 1) number of winsin one-to-one games between the teams; 2) basket average between the teams; 3) general basket average within the group.
- The RQR group winners and runners-up, together with the best third-placed teams, advance to Pan-European Phase (PEP). Before the PEP phase, the group champions of the RQR Northern and Southern conferences participate in a final round to contest for the symbolic title of Conference Champion- in the case of the Northern conference, the final four doubles as NEBL championship (North European Basketball League).
- The 24 teams qualified for the PEP are divided into six groups of four teams each playing a Round-robin. The group winners, together with the two best runners-up, qualify for a quartefinal play-off (x-pairings, home and away games).
- The four winners of the quartefinal play-off qualify for the final stage (Final Four), played at a predetermined venue. The winner gets a wild card to participate in 2003–04 FIBA Europe League.
Conference North
The season ran from October 1, 2002 to November 5, 2002.
Key to colors
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Top two places in each group advance to PEP |
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Eliminated |
Before the PEP phase, the group champions of the RQR Northern conference participate in a final round to contest for the symbolic title of Conference Champion
Conference South
The season ran from October 1, 2002 to November 5, 2002.
Key to colors
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Top two places (and the best 3rd) in each group advance to PEP |
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Eliminated |
Before the PEP phase, the group champions of the RQR Southern conference participate in a final round to contest for the symbolic title of Conference Champion
Conference West
The season ran from October 1, 2002 to November 5, 2002.
Key to colors
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Top two places (and the best 3rd) in each group advance to PEP |
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Eliminated |
Pan-European phase
The phase ran from February 2, 2003 to March 25, 2003.
Key to colors
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Advance to Quarterfinals |
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Eliminated |
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Group F
*In 2003, Tenerife CB signed a sponsorship contract with Unelco and adopted the commercial name "Unelco Tenerife CB". |
Quarterfinals
The quarterfinals were two-legged ties determined on aggregate score. The first legs was played on April 8. All return legs were played on April 15.