Held in April 2003, it was one of Europe's two major beach soccer championships at the time in Liège, Belgium.

Portugal won the championship, claiming their third successive title and fourth overall, with France finishing second.

This was the first time the final was not between Portugal and Spain since the tournament was established in 1998.

Spain beat Germany in the third place playoff to finish third and fourth respectively.

Eight teams participated in what was a straightforward knockout tournament, starting with the quarterfinals, with extra matches deciding the nations who finished in fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth place.