The final phase of the 2003–04 UEFA Cup began on 26 February 2004 with the third round and concluded on 19 May 2004 with the final at the Ullevi in Gothenburg, Sweden. The final phase involved 32 teams: the 24 teams which qualified from the second round, and the eight third-placed teams from the Champions League group stage. Times up to 27 March 2004 (third and fourth rounds) were CET (UTC+1), and thereafter (quarter-finals to final) CEST (UTC+2).
The schedule was as follows (all draws were held at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland).[1]
| Round | Draw date | First leg | Second leg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third round | 12 December 2003 | 26 February 2004 | 3 March 2004 |
| Fourth round | 4 March 2004 | 11 March 2004 | 25 March 2004 |
| Quarter-finals | 8 April 2004 | 14 April 2004 | |
| Semi-finals | 22 April 2004 | 6 May 2004 | |
| Final | 19 May 2004 at Ullevi, Gothenburg | ||
Apart from the final, each tie was played over two legs, with each team playing one leg at home. The team that scored more goals on aggregate over the two legs advanced to the next round. If the aggregate score was level, the away goals rule was applied, i.e., the team that scored more goals away from home over the two legs advanced. If away goals were also equal, then thirty minutes of extra time (two fifteen-minute periods) was played. In the final phase the silver goal system was applied, whereby the team who leads the game at the half-time break during the extra time period would be declared the winner. If the scores were still level after the initial 15 minutes of extra time play would continue for a further 15 minutes. The away goals rule was again applied after extra time, i.e., if there were goals scored during extra time and the aggregate score was still level, the visiting team advanced by virtue of more away goals scored. If no goals were scored during extra time, the tie was decided by penalty shoot-out.
In the final, which was played as a single match, if scores were level at the end of normal time, extra time was played. If, on completion of the first period of extra time, one of the teams had scored more goals than the other, the silver goal rule was applied, i.e., the match ended and that team was declared the winner. If no decisive goal was scored, the second period of the extra time was played, followed by a penalty shoot-out if scores remained tied.The mechanism of the draws for each round was as follows:[2]
The draw for the third round was held on 12 December 2003, 13:00 CET.[3]
The first legs were played on 26 February, and the second legs were played on 3 March 2004.
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Gençlerbirliği won 4–0 on aggregate.----Marseille won 1–0 on aggregate.----Roma won 2–1 on aggregate.----Celtic won 3–1 on aggregate.----Bordeaux won 6–2 on aggregate.----Club Brugge won 1–0 on aggregate.----Valencia won 5–2 on aggregate.----Liverpool won 6–2 on aggregate.----PSV Eindhoven won 3–1 on aggregate.----Auxerre won 1–0 on aggregate.----2–2 on aggregate. Benfica won on away goals.----2–2 on aggregate. Internazionale won on away goals.----Newcastle United won 4–2 on aggregate.----Mallorca won 3–1 on aggregate.----Barcelona won 3–1 on aggregate.----Villarreal won 5–2 on aggregate.
The draw for the fourth round was held on 4 March 2004, 14:00 CET.[4]
The first legs were played on 11 March, and the second legs were played on 25 March 2004.
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Bordeaux won 4–1 on aggregate.----PSV Eindhoven won 4–1 on aggregate.----Villarreal won 3–2 on aggregate.----Celtic won 1–0 on aggregate.----Newcastle United won 7–1 on aggregate.----Internazionale won 4–3 on aggregate.----Marseille won 3–2 on aggregate.----Valencia won 2–1 on aggregate.
The draw for the quarter-finals was held on 4 March 2004, 14:00 CET, immediately after the fourth round draw.[4]
The first legs were played on 8 April, and the second legs were played on 14 April 2004.
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Villarreal won 3–1 on aggregate.----Marseille won 2–0 on aggregate.----Newcastle United won 3–2 on aggregate.----Valencia won 4–2 on aggregate.
The draw for the semi-finals was held on 4 March 2004, 14:00 CET, immediately after the fourth round and quarter-final draws.[4]
The first legs were played on 22 April, and the second legs were played on 6 May 2004.
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Marseille won 2–0 on aggregate.----Valencia won 1–0 on aggregate.
See main article: 2004 UEFA Cup final.
The final was played on 19 May 2004 at the Ullevi in Gothenburg, Sweden. A draw was held on 4 March 2004 (after the fourth round, quarter-final and semi-final draws) to determine the "home" team for administrative purposes.[4]