(Main article: 2002–03 UEFA Champions League) The 2002–03 UEFA Champions League group stage matches took place between 17 September and 13 November 2002. The draw for the group stage was made on 29 August 2002 in Monaco. The group stage featured the 16 automatic qualifiers and the 16 winners of the third qualifying round. Each team was drawn into one of eight groups but avoided teams from their own country. All four teams in the group played home and away matches against each other to determine the winner and runner-up in the group.