2003–04 S.L. Benfica season, Season summary, April–May
A week later Benfica won their second game in a row, 3–0 away at Braga. Miguel scored his first of the season while Sokota and Simão made it 3–0 by the half-hour point. The win, Benfica's largest there since 1989-90, helped them reduce the gap to second place to three points, because of Sporting's loss to Boavista. Camacho attributed the easy win to his team's motivation. Benfica ended April with a home game against Estrela da Amadora. They took an early lead through Nuno Gomes and Sokota scored the second later in the first half.


2003–04 S.L. Benfica season, Season summary, April–May
Davide reduced the lead on the 86th minute, but an additional goal by Miguel led to a 3–1 win that put Benfica in second place in the league table, after catching up to Sporting. Camacho liked the win but not the performance, saying: "We lacked sharpness and played on a slow pace." For the upcoming match with Sporting, Tiago commented that the Derby could go either way, but dismissed the idea that it was the most important game in the season for Benfica, saying: "The Portuguese Cup final is our most important game."


2003–04 S.L. Benfica season, Season summary, April–May
On 2 May, Benfica visited the new Estádio José Alvalade for a match that decided who would go to the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League. Sporting pressed hard from the start and dominated the first half, but Benfica managed to balance the game in the second, until they finally beat Sporting's defence with an 87th-minute goal.


2003–04 S.L. Benfica season, Season summary, April–May
Rui Dias described the goal for Record: "It wasn't until the 87th minute that the game knew its man of the match: Geovanni; if the game was destined to be generic, the Brazilian added inspiration and scored a spectacular goal that decided the game and almost certainly sealed the unthinkable second place for Benfica – who could have thought of that only a month ago?." With the win, Benfica were only a point short of qualifying for the Champions League. Camacho praised the team, saying they had had a fantastic season.


2003–04 S.L. Benfica season, Season summary, April–May
A week later, Benfica secured the second place in the league and the associated place in the third qualifying round of the Champions League with a 0–0 home draw against União de Leiria. Camacho later said: "We finished in second place, because we did not give up.". Benfica's last game of the season was the 2004 Taça de Portugal Final. In a highly competitive match, Porto took the lead through Derlei on the 45th minute, before Benfica equalized by Fyssas on the 58th minute. In extra-time, Simão scored the winner, sealing Benfica's 24th Portuguese Cup.


2003–04 S.L. Benfica season, Season summary, April–May
It was the first trophy for the team since 1996, ending the club longest drought. Camacho complimented his team and dedicated the win to Fehér and Bruno Baião, the latter a youth team player who had died the day before, also from heart related complications. In the post-season, although Camacho said he was preparing for the following season, he chose to depart to Real Madrid on 24 May, as he signed a 2-year deal.


2003–04 S.L. Benfica season, Player statistics
The squad for the season consisted of the players listed in the tables below, as well as staff member Camacho (manager), Pepe Carcelan (assistant manager) and Alvaro Magalhães (assistant manager).


2003–04 S.L. Benfica season, Player statistics
Note 1: Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 S.L. Benfica season, Player statistics
Note 2: Players with squad numbers marked ‡ joined the club during the 2003–04 season via transfer, with more details in the following section.


2003–04 S.S. Lazio season
The 2003–04 season was the 104th season in Società Sportiva Lazio's history and their 16th consecutive season in the top-flight of Italian football. Despite financial problems, Lazio attained a respectable 6th place in Serie A and won the Coppa Italia, defeating Juventus in the two-legged final.


2003–04 S.S.C. Napoli season
S.S.C. Napoli endured a horror season in 2003–04 Serie B, relegated to Serie C by the end of the season. The target prior to the season was promotion to Serie A, and several experienced players were brought in to achieve that goal, among them Massimo Carrera, Renato Olive, Rubens Pasino and Gianluca Savoldi. Especially the signing of Savoldi was significant, since he is the son of legendary Napoli striker Giuseppe Savoldi. The club also lost its captain Roberto Stellone to Reggina.


2003–04 S.S.C. Napoli season
Supporter Sergio Ercolano was killed when falling down from the stands at the derby with Avellino. That forced Napoli to play three home matches in front of an empty stadium. When coach Andrea Agostinelli was replaced by Luigi Simoni, Napoli at least salvaged a 13th place in the table, and looked set to stay in Serie B for 2004-05.


2003–04 S.S.C. Napoli season
That changed when it became apparent that president Salvatore Naldi could not fund the club any longer, which meant bankruptcy for the second time in the Neapolitan footballing history. By August 2004, Napoli was declared bankrupt. Film producer Aurelio De Laurentiis refounded Napoli under the name "Napoli Soccer", and were placed in the 2004–05 Serie C1.


2003–04 SC Bastia season
French football club SC Bastia's 2003–04 season. Finished 17th place in league. Top scorer of the season, including 9 goals in 8 league matches have been Florian Maurice. Was eliminated to Coupe de France end of 64, the Coupe de la Ligue was able to be among the final 16 teams.


2003–04 SK Rapid Wien season
The 2003–04 SK Rapid Wien season is the 106th season in club history.


2003–04 SM-liiga season
The 2003-04 SM-liiga season was the 29th season of the SM-liiga, the top level of ice hockey in Finland. 13 teams participated in the league, and Kärpät Oulu won the championship.


2003–04 SV Werder Bremen season
SV Werder Bremen won its first ever German double, clinching both Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal. Following a club record-breaking league season, Werder won the title six points clear of Bayern Munich, with Aílton hitting 28 goals, the most ever from a Werder Bremen player. The cup victory was clinched following a 3–2 win against Alemannia Aachen, with defensive midfielder Tim Borowski the unexpected hero, hitting Alemannia with a brace. The title successes were Thomas Schaaf's first in his managerial career. Werder, however, lost both Aílton and defensive senior talisman Mladen Krstajić to FC Schalke 04, since both refused to sign new contracts with the club.


2003–04 SV Werder Bremen season, Players, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 SV Werder Bremen season, Players, Werder Bremen II
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 SV Werder Bremen season, Players, Youth team
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 Sacramento Kings season
The 2003–04 NBA season was the Kings' 55th season in the National Basketball Association, and their 19th season in Sacramento. The season was best remembered for the team making a move in the offseason, acquiring Brad Miller from the Indiana Pacers and signing free agent Anthony Peeler. Superstar forward Chris Webber, who spent most of the season recovering from microfracture knee surgery, then serving a suspension due to the Ed Martin scandal, returned for the final 23 games of the season in which they played mediocre basketball the rest of the way.


2003–04 Sacramento Kings season
Still, the Kings finished the season second in the Pacific Division with a 55–27 record. Miller and Peja Stojaković were both selected for the 2004 NBA All-Star Game. In the first round of the playoffs, the Kings got the last laugh as they defeated their archrivals the Dallas Mavericks in five games, before falling to Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round as Webber missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer in Game 7. This ended the Kings' attempt at a championship as their core would be dismantled the following season, which included Vlade Divac re-signing as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers, Peeler signing with the Washington Wizards, and Gerald Wallace leaving in the 2004 NBA Expansion Draft.


2003–04 Sacramento Kings season, Playoffs
Sacramento's win over Dallas is their most recent playoff series victory to date; in fact, the Kings haven't even qualified for the NBA playoffs at all since 2006.


2003–04 Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team
The 2003–04 Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team represented Saint Joseph's University during the 2003–04 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The group is one of 25 teams to finish the regular season undefeated in men's division I basketball. They were the last to do so until Wichita State did it in 2014. Under 9th year head coach Phil Martelli, the Hawks held an overall record of 27–0 and a conference record of 16–0 in the regular season before losing to Xavier in the A-10 tournament and eventually Oklahoma State in the East Regional Final of the NCAA Tournament.


2003–04 Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team, Regular season
The Hawks dominated the regular season, going 27-0 for the season. In the Atlantic 10 Tournament, the Hawks received a #1 seed, which included a first-round bye. However, they lost badly to the Xavier Musketeers 87–67. Despite their early exit, the Hawks still received a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Hawks also won the Philadelphia Big 5, going 4–0 in the process.


2003–04 Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team, NCAA tournament
The Hawks received a #1 seed, and defeated Liberty, Texas Tech, and Wake Forest in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounds, respectively. In the Elite 8 match-up against Oklahoma State, the Hawks lost by 2 points. John Lucas III of Oklahoma State hit a go-ahead three with only a few seconds left. On the ensuing possession, Jameer Nelson attempted to tie the game, but his 15 ft. shot fell short.


2003–04 San Antonio Spurs season
The 2003–04 NBA season was the Spurs' 28th season in the National Basketball Association, the 31st in San Antonio, and 37th season as a franchise.


2003–04 San Antonio Spurs season
The Spurs entered the season as defending NBA champions, having defeated the New Jersey Nets in the 2003 NBA Finals in six games to win their second NBA championship.


2003–04 San Antonio Spurs season
During the offseason, David Robinson, Danny Ferry, and Steve Kerr retired, Speedy Claxton signed with the Golden State Warriors, Stephen Jackson signed with the Atlanta Hawks, and Steve Smith signed with the New Orleans Hornets; in addition, the Spurs acquired Hedo Türkoğlu and Ron Mercer in a three-team trade, signed free agent Robert Horry (who had won championships with the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers) and signed other free agents such as center Radoslav Nesterović.


2003–04 San Antonio Spurs season
Despite the retirement of Robinson, and despite having a won-loss percentage of approximately .500 in November, the Spurs posted a 13-game winning streak in January and won their final eleven games of the season. The team finished second in the Midwest Division with a 57–25 record. Two-time MVP Tim Duncan was selected for the 2004 NBA All-Star Game.


2003–04 San Antonio Spurs season
The Spurs defeated the Memphis Grizzlies in four straight games in the first round of the playoffs. Although the Spurs took the first two games in a second-round rematch against the Los Angeles Lakers (the team they had eliminated in the previous season's Western Conference Semifinals), the Lakers, led by their "big four" of Karl Malone, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Gary Payton, responded by taking the next four games to eliminate the defending champions. The Lakers went on to reach the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Detroit Pistons in five games.


2003–04 San Antonio Spurs season
Following the season, Turkoglu signed as a free agent with the Orlando Magic and Kevin Willis signed with the Atlanta Hawks.


2003–04 San Jose Sharks season
The 2003–04 San Jose Sharks season was the franchise's 13th in the NHL. The Sharks made it to the Western Conference Finals for the first time before losing to the Calgary Flames. It was the last season before the 2004–05 lockout, which cancelled the following season.


2003–04 San Jose Sharks season, Off-season
On May 13, 2003, the Sharks hired Doug Wilson (no relation to coach Ron Wilson) as general manager, replacing Dean Lombardi. At the Entry Draft in June, the Sharks chose Milan Michalek with their first-round pick, sixth overall.


2003–04 San Jose Sharks season, Regular season
The Sharks rotated team captaincy for the first half of the season before permanently handing the role to forward Patrick Marleau.


2003–04 San Jose Sharks season, Regular season, Final standings
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.


2003–04 San Jose Sharks season, Regular season, Final standings
Divisions: CE – Central, PA – Pacific, NW – Northwest


2003–04 San Jose Sharks season, Regular season, Final standings
P –  Clinched Presidents Trophy; Y –  Clinched Division; X –  Clinched Playoff spot


2003–04 Scottish Challenge Cup
The 2003–04 Scottish Challenge Cup was the 13th season of the competition, competed for by all 30 members of the Scottish Football League. The defending champions were Queen of the South, who defeated Brechin City 2–0 in the 2002 final. Queen of the South were eliminated in the first round after defeat against Stranraer


2003–04 Scottish Challenge Cup
The final was played on 26 October 2003, between Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Airdrie United at McDiarmid Park, Perth. Inverness Caledonian Thistle won 2–0, to claim their first 'major' cup.


2003–04 Scottish Challenge Cup, First round
Berwick Rangers and Dumbarton received random byes into the second round.


2003–04 Scottish Cup
The 2003–04 Scottish Cup was the 119th staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition, also known for sponsorship reasons as the Tennent's Scottish Cup. The Cup was won by Celtic who defeated Dunfermline Athletic in the final. The final was Henrik Larsson's last competitive match for Celtic. The Final also proved to be Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood's last match as manager of the Fife club.


2003–04 Scottish First Division
The 2003–04 Scottish Football League First Division was won by Inverness Caledonian Thistle who were promoted to the Scottish Premier League. Ayr United and Brechin City were relegated to the Second Division.


2003–04 Scottish First Division, Attendances
The average attendances for Scottish First Division clubs for season 2003/04 are shown below:


2003–04 Scottish League Cup
The 2003–04 Scottish League Cup was the 58th staging of the Scotland's second most prestigious football knockout competition, also known for sponsorship reasons as the CIS Insurance Cup.


2003–04 Scottish League Cup
The competition was won by Livingston, who defeated Hibernian 2–0 in the final.


2003–04 Scottish Men's National League season
The 2003–04 season was the 35th campaign of the Scottish Men's National League, the national basketball league of Scotland. The season featured 10 teams; from the previous season, St Mirren Buddies joined the league and Arbroath Musketeers did not return. City of Edinburgh Kings won their second league title with an unbeaten season.


2003–04 Scottish Men's National League season, Teams
The line-up for the 2003-04 season featured the following teams:


2003–04 Scottish Premier League
As league champions, Celtic qualified for the UEFA Champions League, with runners-up Rangers also qualifying. Third-placed Hearts qualified for the UEFA Cup, as did Dunfermline Athletic, who took the Scottish Cup place despite losing the final to Celtic.


2003–04 Scottish Premier League
During the season, Celtic set a Scottish record of 25 successive wins.


2003–04 Scottish Premier League
Partick Thistle were relegated, and First Division winners Inverness Caledonian Thistle were promoted.


2003–04 Scottish Premier League
Celtic's Henrik Larsson was the top scorer with 30 goals.


2003–04 Scottish Premier League, Teams, Promotion and relegation from 2002–03
Motherwell finished bottom of the 2002–03 Scottish Premier League but were spared relegation, as 2002–03 Scottish First Division champions Falkirk were denied promotion due to their lack of an appropriate stadium for the Scottish Premier League.


2003–04 Scottish Premier League, Results, Matches 1–22
During matches 1–22 each team played every other team twice (home and away).


2003–04 Scottish Premier League, Results, Matches 23–33
During matches 23–33 each team played every other team once (either at home or away).


2003–04 Scottish Premier League, Results, Matches 34–38
During matches 34–38 each team played every other team in their half of the table once.


2003–04 Scottish Premier League, Attendances
The average attendances for SPL clubs during the 2003/04 season are shown below:


2003–04 Scottish Second Division
The 2003–04 Scottish Second Division was won by Airdrie United who, along with Hamilton Academical, were promoted to the First Division. East Fife and Stenhousemuir were relegated to the Third Division.


2003–04 Scottish Second Division, Attendances
The average attendances for Scottish Second Division clubs for season 2003/04 are shown below:


2003–04 Scottish Third Division
The 2003–04 Scottish Third Division was won by Stranraer who, along with Stirling Albion, gained promotion to the Second Division. East Stirlingshire finished bottom.


2003–04 Scottish Third Division, Attendance
The average attendance for Scottish Third Division clubs for season 2003/04 are shown below:


2003–04 Seattle SuperSonics season
The 2003–04 NBA season was the SuperSonics' 37th season in the National Basketball Association. During the offseason, the Sonics signed free agent Antonio Daniels. The Sonics started the season in Tokyo, Japan with a two game series against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Sonics got off to a 5–1 start, but played around .500 for the first half of the season. Ray Allen played his first full season as a member of the Sonics after being acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks in a trade last February.


2003–04 Seattle SuperSonics season
Despite missing the first 25 games due to an ankle injury, he was voted to play in the 2004 NBA All-Star Game. This was Allen's fourth overall All-Star Game appearance and his first as a member of the Sonics. However, despite a 7-game winning streak in March, the Sonics lost seven of their final ten games ending the season fifth in the Pacific Division with a 37–45 record, missing the playoffs. Following the season, Brent Barry signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs.


2003–04 Seattle SuperSonics season
This was also the Sonics' final season playing in the Pacific Division, as they moved to the new Northwest Division of the Western Conference next season.


2003–04 Second League of Serbia and Montenegro
Second League of Serbia and Montenegro 2003–04 (Serbian: Druga savezna liga) consisted of four groups of 10 teams. The competition started on 17 August 2003 and the regular season ended on June 13, 2004.


2003–04 Second League of Serbia and Montenegro, Changes for next season
The next season, second level in Serbia and Montenegro football consisted of two groups. Therefore, as the end of season, Serbian groups (North, East & West) merged into Serbian Second League (Druga liga Srbija), and South group formed the Montenegrin Second League (Druga liga Crna Gora).


2003–04 Second League of Serbia and Montenegro, Montenegrin league playoff, Second leg
Mornar qualified to 2004–05 Montenegrin First League, while Lovćen remained a member of Second League.


2003–04 Segunda División
The 2003–04 Segunda División season saw 22 teams participate in the second flight Spanish league. The teams that were promoted to La Liga were Levante UD, Getafe CF and CD Numancia. The teams that were relegated to Segunda División B were CD Leganés, UD Las Palmas, Rayo Vallecano and Algeciras CF.


2003–04 Segunda División B
The season 2003-04 of Segunda División B of Spanish football started August 2003 and ended May 2004.


2003–04 Segunda División B, Group I
Teams from Asturias, Basque Country, Cantabria, Galicia, La Rioja and Navarre.


2003–04 Segunda División B, Group II
Teams from Aragon, Castilla–La Mancha, Castile and León, Community of Madrid and Galicia.


2003–04 Segunda División B, Group III
Teams from Balearic Islands, Catalonia, Region of Murcia and Valencian Community.


2003–04 Segunda Divisão B
The 2003–04 Segunda Divisão season was the 70th season of the competition and the 54th season of recognised third-tier football in Portugal.


2003–04 Segunda Divisão B, Overview
The league was contested by 59 teams in 3 divisions with SC Espinho, Gondomar SC and SC Olhanense winning the respective divisional competitions and gaining promotion to the Liga de Honra. The overall championship was won by SC Espinho.


2003–04 Segunda Liga
The 2003–04 Segunda Liga season was the 14th season of the competition and the 70th season of recognised second-tier football in Portugal.


2003–04 Segunda Liga, Overview
The league was contested by 18 teams with GD Estoril Praia winning the championship and gaining promotion to the Primeira Liga along with Vitória Setúbal and FC Penafiel. At the other end of the table SC Covilhã and União Funchal were relegated to the Segunda Divisão along with SC Salgueiros who were relegated for financial reasons.


2003–04 Serbia and Montenegro Cup
The 2003–04 Serbia and Montenegro Cup was the second and first full season of the Serbia and Montenegro's annual football cup. The cup defenders was FK Sartid, but was defeated by FK Obilić in the second round. Red Star Belgrade has the winner of the competition, after they defeated Budućnost Banatski Dvor. She later clinched the First League title to claim its 8th domestic double.


2003–04 Serbia and Montenegro Cup, First round
Thirty-two teams entered in the First Round. The matches were played on 28, 29 October, 11 and 12 November 2003.


2003–04 Serbia and Montenegro Cup, First round
Note: Roman numerals in brackets denote the league tier the clubs participated in the 2003–04 season.


2003–04 Serbia and Montenegro Cup, Second round
The 16 winners from the prior round enter this round. The matches were played on 3 December 2003.


2003–04 Serbia and Montenegro Cup, Second round
Note: Roman numerals in brackets denote the league tier the clubs participated in the 2003–04 season.


2003–04 Serbia and Montenegro Cup, Quarter-finals
The eight winners from the prior round enter this round. The matches were played on 3 and 24 March 2004.


2003–04 Serbia and Montenegro Cup, Quarter-finals
Note: Roman numerals in brackets denote the league tier the clubs participated in the 2003–04 season.


2003–04 Serbian Hockey League season
The 2003-04 Serbian Hockey League season was the 13th season of the Serbian Hockey League, the top level of ice hockey in Serbia. Five teams participated in the league, and HK Vojvodina Novi Sad won the championship.


2003–04 Serie A
The 2003–04 Serie A (known as the Serie A TIM for sponsorship reasons) was the 102nd season of top-tier Italian football, the 72nd in a round-robin tournament. It contained 18 teams for the 16th and last time from the 1988–89 season. With the bottom three being relegated, the 15th placed side would face the sixth-highest team from Serie B, with the winner playing in the Serie A in the subsequent 2004–05 season.


2003–04 Serie A
As usual, the top two teams would progress directly to the UEFA Champions League group stage, while third and fourth place would have to begin in the third qualifying round. The UEFA Cup places would be awarded to fifth and sixth place, and the winners of the Coppa Italia.


2003–04 Serie A
Milan won their 17th scudetto; Roma impressed and were pushing for the title until the last few weeks of the season; Internazionale only made it to the Champions League ahead of Parma and Lazio on the last day thanks to Adriano, who had been signed from Parma earlier in the season; Lazio won the Coppa Italia against Juventus, handing Udinese the UEFA Cup spot; Ancona were relegated with only two wins, the joint lowest tally ever (Brescia's 12 points in 1994–95 Serie A is still the lowest ever); Empoli and Modena were also relegated; Perugia lost their special play-off, imposed to expand the league, against Fiorentina, who returned to Serie A after a two-year absence.


2003–04 Serie A
Ukrainian forward Andriy Shevchenko of Milan was the top scorer, with 24 goals. The 2003–04 league was the last professional season in the career of former European Footballer of the Year and Italian international Roberto Baggio, who finished among the tournament's top ten scorers with 12 goals, and among the all-time top five scorers in Serie A, with 205 career goals. It was also the last Serie A season for Baggio's former teammate Giuseppe Signori, who then moved to the Superleague Greece. Signori ended his career in Italy as the seventh highest scorer ever in Serie A.


2003–04 Serie A, Teams
Eighteen teams competed in the league – the top fourteen teams from the previous season and the four teams promoted from the Serie B. The promoted teams were Siena, Sampdoria, Lecce and Ancona. Sampdoria, Lecce and Ancona returned to the top flight after an absence of four, one and ten years respectively, while Siena played in the top flight for the first time in history. They replaced Atalanta (relegated after three seasons in the top flight), Piacenza, Torino (both teams relegated after a two-years presence) and Como (relegated after a season's presence).


2003–04 Serie A, Rule changes
Unlike La Liga, which imposed a quota on the number of non-EU players on each club, Serie A clubs could sign as many non-EU players as available on domestic transfer. But for the 2003–04 season a quota was imposed on each of the clubs limiting the number of non-EU, non-EFTA and non-Swiss players who may be signed from abroad each season, following provisional measures introduced in the 2002–03 season, which allowed Serie A & B clubs to sign only one non-EU player in the 2002 summer transfer window.


2003–04 Serie A, Qualification play-offs
Perugia had to play a qualification match with 6th-placed team of Serie B, Fiorentina.


2003–04 Serie A, Qualification play-offs
Fiorentina won 2–1 on aggregate and were promoted to 2004–05 Serie A; Perugia were relegated to 2004–05 Serie B.


2003–04 Serie A (ice hockey) season
The 2003–04 Serie A season was the 70th season of the Serie A, the top level of ice hockey in Italy. 15 teams participated in the league, and the HC Milano Vipers won the championship by defeating Asiago Hockey in the final.


2003–04 Serie B
The 2003–04 Serie B is the 72nd season since its establishment in 1929. It is the second highest football league in Italy.


2003–04 Serie B, Teams
Treviso, Avellino, AlbinoLeffe and Pescara had been promoted from Serie C, while Atalanta, Piacenza, Como, and Torino had been relegated from Serie A. Following the Caso Catania, Fiorentina was added.


2003–04 Serie B, Events
Following the Caso Catania, the league had been expanded to 24 clubs, and six special promotions were decided to descend to 22.


2003–04 Serie B, Promotion play-offs
Fiorentina had to play a qualification match with 15th-placed team of Serie A, Perugia.


2003–04 Serie B, Promotion play-offs
A.C. Perugia relegated to Serie B, while ACF Fiorentina was promoted to Serie A.


2003–04 Serie B, Relegation play-off
A.S. Bari was relegated to Serie C1 2004-05 but was later readmitted to Serie B in place of S.S.C. Napoli.


2003–04 Serie C1
The 2003–04 Serie C1 was the twenty-sixth edition of Serie C1, the third highest league in the Italian football league system.


2003–04 Serie C1, League standings, Serie C1/A, Final Verdict
Repechage : Pavia and Prato admitted at Serie C1 2004–05


2003–04 Sevilla FC season
The 2003–04 season was Sevilla FC's 114th season in existence and the club's third consecutive season in the top flight of Spanish football. In addition to the domestic league, Sevilla participated in this season's edition of the Copa del Rey.


2003–04 Sheffield Shield season
The 2003–04 Sheffield Shield season known as the Pura Cup was the 102nd season of the Sheffield Shield, the domestic first-class cricket competition of Australia. Victoria won the championship.


2003–04 Sheffield United F.C. season
During the 2003–04 English football season, Sheffield United competed in the Football League First Division.


2003–04 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season summary
Sheffield United were unable to repeat the previous season's heroics, finishing 8th in the First Division, a mere two points off the play-off places.


2003–04 Sheffield United F.C. season, Kit
The kit was manufactured by French company Le Coq Sportif and sponsored by Desun.


2003–04 Sheffield United F.C. season, Players, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 Sheffield United F.C. season, Players, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season
During the 2003–04 English football season, Sheffield Wednesday competed in the Football League Second Division.


2003–04 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Season summary
After relegation the previous season, Sheffield Wednesday competed in the third tier of English football for the first time in over 20 years. Wednesday made a positive start to the season and were 2nd in the league by mid-September. As results slipped through Autumn they slid down to mid table, although they remained around 6 points from the play off places going into the new year. An upturn in form never materialised and as the season wore on and promotion became less likely, results turned for the worse. Wednesday lost 9 of their last 13 league games finishing 16th, 20 points from a play off position and only avoiding relegation by 3 points.


2003–04 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Players, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Players, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 Shrewsbury Town F.C. season
The 2003–04 season was the 104th season of competitive association football and first season in the Football Conference played by Shrewsbury Town Football Club, a professional football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. Their twenty-fourth-place finish in 2002–03 Football League Second Division meant they were relegated from The Football League – fifty-three years after they joined it – and were playing their first season in Football Conference. The season began on 1 July 2003 and concluded on 30 June 2004.


2003–04 Shrewsbury Town F.C. season
Jimmy Quinn, who was starting his first full season as player-manager, signed eight players before the summer transfer window closed. Shrewsbury occupied a play-off position for most of the season, and finished the Football Conference season in third place, failing to reach the automatic promotion place but securing a berth in the play-offs. Shrewsbury beat Barnet 5–3 in a penalty shoot-out in the semi-final having drawn 2–2 on aggregate.


2003–04 Shrewsbury Town F.C. season
They won the 2004 Football Conference play-off Final, which took place at the Britannia Stadium, by beating Aldershot Town 3–0 on penalties after the match ended in a 1–1 draw; which meant the club was promoted back into The Football League in the newly renamed Football League Two. They lost in their opening round matches in both the 2003–04 FA Cup and Football League Cup, and were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy.


2003–04 Shrewsbury Town F.C. season
Thirty players made at least one appearance in nationally organised first-team competition, and there were fifteen different goalscorers. Goalkeeper Scott Howie and defenders David Ridler and Darren Tinson missed only five of the fifty-one competitive matches played over the season. Luke Rodgers finished as leading scorer with fifteen goals, of which thirteen came in league competition and two came in the play-offs.


2003–04 Shrewsbury Town F.C. season, Background and pre-season
In April 2003 Kevin Ratcliffe resigned as manager of Shrewsbury Town, four years after taking the position, he took responsibility for the club's poor run of where only two league games were won after the turn of the year and their relegation from The Football League was confirmed. Player Mark Atkins was placed in charge for the final game of the season against his original club Scunthorpe United at home which ended in a 2–1 defeat.


2003–04 Shrewsbury Town F.C. season, Background and pre-season
Released following the end of the 2002–03 season were Nigel Jemson, Peter Wilding, Andy Thompson, Jason van Blerk, Scott Partridge, Nick Evans and Chris Courtney. Andy Tretton, Josh Walker, Greg Rioch, Steve Guinan and Chris Murphy also left the club after departing for Hereford United, Moor Green, Northwich Victoria, Hereford United and Telford United respectively.


2003–04 Shrewsbury Town F.C. season, Background and pre-season
Jimmy Quinn was announced as Shrewsbury's manager before the start of the 2003–04 season. New signings ahead of the start of the season comprised five defenders and one of each of the other positions: goalkeeper Scott Howie from Bristol Rovers, midfielder Martin O'Connor from Walsall and forward Colin Cramb from Fortuna Sittard. The five defenders were Ian Fitzpatrick from Halifax Town, David Ridler from Scarborough, Darren Tinson from Macclesfield Town and both Jake Sedgemore and Greg Rioch from Northwich Victoria.


2003–04 Shrewsbury Town F.C. season, Summary and aftermath
Shrewsbury spent the whole of the season in the top half of the table, rising as high as second place in September 2003 while never dropping below sixth after the first round of fixtures. Shrewsbury's defensive record was the second best in the Football Conference with forty-two goals conceded, bettered only by the league winners, Chester City (thirty-four). Howler, Ridler and Tinson recorded the highest number of appearances during the season, each appearing in forty-six of Shrewsbury's fifty-one games. Rodgers was Shrewsbury's top scorer in the league and in all competitions, with thirteen league goals and fifteen in total. Three other players, Cramb, Darby and Lowe, reached double figures.


2003–04 Shrewsbury Town F.C. season, Summary and aftermath
Prior to the club's Football League return, Shrewsbury released Fitzpatrick, Packer, Parker and Thompson. Quinn was also released as a player but remained as the club's manager into the 2004–05 season. New players to join were defender Dave Walton from Derby County and forward John Grant from Telford United. Dunbavin transferred back to Northwich Victoria for free.


2003–04 Shrewsbury Town F.C. season, Match details
League positions are sourced by Statto, attendance numbers are sourced to Soccerbase; while the remaining information is referenced individually. Shrewsbury's score is listed first in the score columns.


2003–04 Slovak 1. Liga season
The 2003–04 Slovak 1.Liga season was the 11th season of the Slovak 1. Liga, the second level of ice hockey in Slovakia. 11 teams participated in the league, and HK Spartak Dubnica won the championship.


2003–04 Slovak Cup
The 2003–04 Slovak Cup was the 35th season of Slovakia's annual knock-out cup competition and the eleventh since the independence of Slovakia. It began on 26 August 2003 with Round 1 and ended on 8 May 2004 with the Final. The winners of the competition earned a place in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup. Matador Púchov were the defending champions.


2003–04 Slovak Cup, First round
The match Steel Trans Ličartovce – MFK Ružomberok was played on 26 August 2003 and the thirteen games were played on 2 and 3 September 2003.


2003–04 Slovak Cup, Second round
The four games were played on 30 September 2003 and the four games were played on 1 October 2003.


2003–04 Slovak Cup, Quarter-finals
The first legs were played on 21 and 22 November 2003. The second legs were played on 28 and 29 November 2003.


2003–04 Slovak Cup, Semi-finals
The first legs were played on 7 April 2004. The second legs were played on 21 April 2004.


2003–04 Slovak Extraliga season
The Slovak Extraliga 2003–04 was the eleventh regular season of the Slovak Extraliga, the top level of professional ice hockey in Slovakia.


2003–04 Slovak Extraliga season, Regular season, Final standings
Key - GP: Games played, W: Wins, OTW: Over time wins, T: Ties, OTL: Over time losses, L: Losses, GF: Goals for, GA: Goals against, PTS: Points.


2003–04 Slovak Extraliga season, Scoring Leaders
Key - GP: Games played, G: Goals, A: Assists, PTS: Points.


2003–04 Slovak Superliga
The 2003–04 Slovak First Football League (known as the Slovak Corgoň Liga for sponsorship reasons) was the 11th season of first-tier football league in Slovakia, since its establishment in 1993. This season started on 19 July 2003 and ended on 8 June 2004. MŠK Žilina are the defending champions.


2003–04 Slovak Superliga, Teams
A total of 10 teams was contested in the league, including 9 sides from the 2002–03 season and one promoted from the 2. Liga.


2003–04 Slovak Superliga, Teams
Relegation for 1. FC Košice to the 2003–04 2. Liga was confirmed on 31 May 2003. The one relegated team were replaced by Dukla Banská Bystrica.


2003–04 Slovenian Football Cup
The 2003–04 Slovenian Football Cup was the 13th season of the Slovenian Football Cup, Slovenia's football knockout competition.


2003–04 Slovenian Hockey League season
The 2003–04 Slovenian Ice Hockey League was the 13th season of the Slovenian Hockey League. Seven teams participated in the league, and Olimpija have won the league championships.


2003–04 Slovenian PrvaLiga
The 2003–04 Slovenian PrvaLiga season started on 20 July 2003 and ended on 30 May 2004. Each team played a total of 32 matches.


2003–04 Slovenian Second League
The 2003–04 Slovenian Second League season started on 10 August 2003 and ended on 6 June 2004. Each team played a total of 32 matches.


2003–04 Slovenian Second League, League standing, Promotion play-offs
Bela Krajina lost on away goals rule but got promoted anyway because Rudar Velenje declined promotion. Additionally, Zagorje also got promoted because Šmartno didn't get a licence and was thus relegated from the top flight.


2003–04 Slovenian Third League
The 2003–04 Slovenian Third League was the 12th season of the Slovenian Third League, the third highest level in the Slovenian football system.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season
The 2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season was a below-average season with only three tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific to the east of 160°E. The season officially ran from November 1, 2003 to April 30, 2004 with the first disturbance of the season forming on December 4 and the last disturbance dissipating on April 23. This is the period of the year when most tropical cyclones form within the South Pacific Ocean.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season
During the season at least 16 people were killed from tropical disturbances whilst overall damage was estimated at $218 million (2004 USD; $299 million 2021 USD). The most damaging tropical disturbance was Cyclone Heta which caused at least $211 million (2004 USD; $289 million 2021 USD) in damage to six different countries and left three dead. The deadliest tropical disturbance of the season was Tropical Depression 10F, which was responsible for eleven deaths and caused $2.74 million (2004 USD) in damage. Cyclone Ivy also caused 2 deaths and caused $4.17 million (2004 USD; $5.72 million 2021 USD) worth of damage to Vanuatu. As a result of the impacts caused by Heta and Ivy, the names were retired from the tropical cyclone naming lists.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season
Within the South Pacific, tropical cyclones are monitored by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) in Nadi, Fiji, and the Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC) in Wellington, New Zealand. RSMC Nadi attaches a number and an F suffix to tropical disturbances that form in or move into the South Pacific. The United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issues unofficial warnings within the South Pacific, designating tropical cyclones with a number and a P suffix. RSMC Nadi and TCWC Wellington both use the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale, and measure windspeeds over a period of ten minutes, while the JTWC measures sustained winds over a period of one minute and uses the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Heta
Cyclone Heta developed in the South Pacific Ocean and reached cyclone-force winds on January 1, 2004. It struck the island of Niue with a much more direct blow on January 6. Heta's eyewall hit Niue almost exactly at the height of the storm's power. It caused extensive property damage throughout the island, and two people were killed. Efforts to rebuild from the storm in Niue lasted almost the entire year of 2004.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Heta
Heta caused American Samoa to declare a state of emergency (officially a "Declaration of Emergency" in American Samoan law) on January 7, and even though officially the storm never made landfall there, it necessitated the emergency evacuation of 140 people and was responsible for property damage.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Heta
The nation of Tonga was also affected by Heta, as the winds swept away trees that were needed for the country's food supply. However, Tonga did not receive a direct hit or suffer such extensive loss as Niue.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Ivy
Numbered 05F. Existed between February 21 and February 28. Caused heavy damage in Vanuatu.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Grace
Entered the region from the west on March 23, became extratropical the next day. Designated as 07F by Nadi.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Depression 10F
Existed between April 6 and April 9. The storm was given the number 22P by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. It was responsible for causing severe flooding to Fiji and 11 deaths. Damage from the flooding was estimated at US$2.6 million.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Depression 12F
Formed on April 7, later caused severe flooding in Fiji.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Depression 13F
During April 11 a weak tropical low moved into the South Pacific basin from the Australian region, and was designated as Tropical Disturbance 13F by RSMC Nadi later that day.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season, Systems, Other systems
The first numbered tropical disturbance of the season developed within a large area of atmospheric convection on December 4, to the northwest of the Fijian dependency of Rotuma. During that day the depression slowly moved west, before it was classified as a weak tropical depression during the next day. The system subsequently weakened and lost its organisation because of moderate to strong vertical windshear and was last noted during December 6.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season, Systems, Other systems
Tropical Disturbance 02F was first noted by the FMS during December 16, within an environment conducive for further development, about 340 km (210 mi) to the west of Honiara in the Solomon Islands. Over the next few days, the system remained poorly organised and slow-moving within an area of moderate vertical windshear, before it was last noted by the FMS during December 20, as it entered the Australian region.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season, Systems, Other systems
Tropical Disturbance 04F was subsequently first noted within a broad area of low pressure by the FMS, while it was located on the border with the South Pacific basin, about 100 km (60 mi) to the south of Honiara in the Solomon Islands. The system was located in a moderate area of vertical windshear and was poorly organised with atmospheric convection confined to the system's eastern semicircle. The system subsequently moved south-eastwards and remained poorly organised, before it was last noted by the FMS later that day while it was located to the south of San Cristobal Island.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season, Systems, Other systems
During April 6, the FMS reported that Tropical Depression 11F had developed within a monsoon trough, about 140 km (85 mi) to the north-east of Suva in Fiji. Over the next day, the system moved south-eastwards towards Tonga, before it was last noted by the FMS later that day, while it was located about 300 km (185 mi) to the southwest of Tongatapu in Tonga.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season, Systems, Other systems
On April 18, RSMC Nadi reported that Tropical Disturbance 15F had developed within the monsoon trough, about 515 km (320 mi) to the northeast of Nukuʻalofa in Tonga. During that day, the disturbance moved through the Tongan archipelago, before it was last noted later that day.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season, Systems, Other systems
During April 22, the FMS reported that Tropical Disturbance 15F had developed around 500 km (310 mi) to the northeast of Honiara in the Solomon Islands. Over the next couple of days, the system remained poorly organised and near stationary to the northeast of the Solomon Islands, before it was last noted during April 24.


2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season, Season effects
This table lists all the storms that developed in the South Pacific to the east of longitude 160°E during the 2003–04 season.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The 2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season featured the most intense tropical cyclone in the South-West Indian Ocean, Cyclone Gafilo, as well as nine other named storms. Tropical activity began on September 28 when Moderate Tropical Storm Abaimba formed at a low latitude. Activity continued until late May, following Severe Tropical Storm Juba, which marked the third year in a row that a storm formed in May. The final disturbance, one of sixteen, dissipated on May 24. Activity was near average, and the season was one of the longest on record.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The first intense tropical cyclone was Beni, which reached that intensity on November 13, the third-earliest on record. In December, Tropical Cyclone Cela moved across Madagascar, and Severe Tropical Storm Darius dropped heavy rainfall in the Mascarene Islands. In January, Cyclone Elita crossed Madagascar three times, which caused widespread flooding and 33 deaths. Also in that month was Intense Tropical Cyclone Frank, which developed quickly but remained away from land. On March 7, Cyclone Gafilo struck near Antalaha in northeast Madagascar and largely destroyed the town. Across the country, the storm destroyed over 20,000 homes, leaving 304,000 people homeless.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Nationwide, the storm killed 363 people and left $250 million in damage (2004 USD). Later in March, two storms – Nicky and Oscar – crossed 90° E from the Australian basin and were renamed Helma and Itseng, respectively. Tropical cyclones in this basin are monitored by the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre in Réunion.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Season summary
Météo-France's meteorological office in Réunion (MFR) is the official Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for the South-West Indian Ocean, tracking all tropical cyclones from the east coast of Africa to 90° E. The agency tracked 16 tropical disturbances during the season, of which ten intensified into tropical storms and were named from a sequential list. This is near the long-term average of nine tropical storms. Five storms intensified to tropical cyclone status, with maximum sustained winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph); this is also near the long-term average. There were 19 days – one less than average – in which a tropical cyclone was active. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), which is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force– also issued advisories for storms in the basin.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Season summary
Similar to the preceding season, the 2003–04 season began in September and ended the following May, making it one of the lengthiest on record. Most storms originated near the Chagos Archipelago in the central Indian Ocean. Two storms – Helma and Itseng – crossed from the Australian basin and were tracked by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). Many of the storms had unusual trajectories, with sudden changes in direction. Cyclone Elita crossed the coastline of Madagascar three times, described by the MFR as an "exotic" track but akin to Cyclone Felicie in 1971. The final storm – Juba – was the third-latest named storm on record, after Ikonjo in May 1990 and Gritelle in June 1991.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Moderate Tropical Storm Abaimba
On September 28, the first tropical disturbance of the season originated as a circulation within the near-equatorial trough, west of the Chagos Archipelago. Despite moderate wind shear and minimal convection at first, the system developed an organized area of thunderstorms over the center. The swirl was influenced by the trade winds, moving westward at first before turning to the east. The MFR upgraded the system to a tropical depression on September 29, and on the same day, the JTWC initiated advisories on the storm as Tropical Cyclone 01S.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Moderate Tropical Storm Abaimba
The circulation became exposed from the convection before developing another plume of thunderstorms on October 1. That day, the MFR upgraded the depression to Moderate Tropical Storm Abaimba, estimating peak winds of 80 km/h (50 mph), similar to the JTWC estimate. At the low latitude of 4.4º S, Abaimba became the first named storm in the basin north of 5º S. Wind shear increased late on October 1, leaving the center exposed again. On the next day, Abaimba weakened into a tropical depression. The trajectory shifted to the south and west as it moved in a broad loop, until stalling on October 4. That day, it was no longer classifiable as a tropical disturbance, and the circulation dissipated on October 6.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Intense Tropical Cyclone Beni
The same westerly wind burst that spawned a cyclonic storm in the Arabian Sea also produced Cyclone Beni. On November 7, an area of sprawling convection developed northeast of Diego Garcia. This system consolidated and organized, aided by decreasing wind shear, warm waters, and good outflow. On November 9, the MFR classified the system as a tropical disturbance, and the JTWC designated it as Tropical Cyclone 02S. Two days later, the MFR upgraded it to Moderate Tropical Storm Beni. Moving around a ridge, the storm trekked southwestward before turning to the southeast on November 12, steered by an approaching trough.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Intense Tropical Cyclone Beni
That day, Beni intensified into the first tropical cyclone of the year. Its outflow was enhanced by the trough, and a well-defined eye became established within the convection. On November 13, the MFR upgraded Beni to an intense tropical cyclone, estimating peak 10 minute winds of 175 km/h (110 mph); at the time, it was the third earliest in the season that a storm reached that intensity. The JTWC estimated slightly higher 1 minute winds of 185 km/h (115 mph).


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Intense Tropical Cyclone Beni
A small cyclone, Beni rapidly weakened due to increased wind shear. By November 14 – a day after reaching peak intensity – the circulation of Beni became exposed as the winds decreased to tropical storm force. A day later, the storm weakened into a tropical disturbance and turned to a northwest drift, steered in the trade winds. Thunderstorms redeveloped as the shear diminished, and Beni re-intensified into a tropical storm on November 18 while crossing over its earlier path.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Intense Tropical Cyclone Beni
Moving westward, the storm redeveloped an eye and re-attained tropical cyclone status on November 19, reaching a secondary peak intensity of 140 km/h (85 mph) about 500 km (300 mi)) south of Diego Garcia. Cooler waters weakened Beni a day later, and the storm fell to tropical disturbance status by November 21. Thunderstorms reformed intermittently as the system turned to the southwest. The circulation dissipated on November 25 to the southeast of Madagascar. Moisture from the storm brought heavy rainfall to the Mascarene Islands, with 100 to 150 mm (3.9 to 5.9 in) of precipitation recorded on the eastern side of Réunion.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Cela
In early December, the near-equatorial trough was active to the north of the Mascarene Islands, which spawned a circulation near Diego Garcia. This circulation became more defined moving southwestward, and was designated Tropical Disturbance 3 by the MFR on December 4. A day later, the JTWC began issuing advisories as Tropical Cyclone 03S. Dry air hindered development at first, but was counteracted by decreasing wind shear. The weather system intensified into Moderate Tropical Storm Cela on December 7.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Cela
Failing to organize much, the storm attained winds of 75 km/h (45 mph) and made landfall at that intensity near Vohemar in northern Madagascar. Wind gusts there reached 184 km/h (114 mph). The circulation became disrupted over the mountainous terrain of the island, and emerged into the Mozambique Channel on December 10 as a weak tropical disturbance. Unable to observe a low-level circulation, the JTWC discontinued advisories that day.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Cela
Abundant moisture fueled the convection in the Mozambique Channel, although Cela's proximity to land hindered redevelopment. On December 14, the system moved far enough from Madagascar that it re-intensified into a moderate tropical storm near Juan de Nova Island; this island recorded wind gusts of 112 km/h (70 mph) and 289 mm (11.4 in) of rainfall during the passage. As Cela moved southward, its convective structure organized further, developing an eye in the center. On December 16, the storm attained tropical cyclone status while stalling west of Madagascar, with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph).


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Cela
For the next four days, Cela's intensity fluctuated between tropical cyclone intensity or just below, affected by upwelling and periodic increases in wind shear. After a southwestward trajectory for a day, Cela turned southeastward and later to the south. It passed near Europa Island, which recorded a peak gust of 152 km/h (94 mph). On December 20, Cela transitioned into an extratropical cyclone, affected by cooler water temperatures and the higher wind shear. The storm accelerated southeastward and was last noted by the MFR on December 22.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Cela
For much of its duration, Cela was located near or over Madagascar, and most of the country received 75 to 150 mm (3.0 to 5.9 in) of rainfall. On the west coast, Morombe reported a 24-hour precipitation total of 317 mm (12.5 in).


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Storm Darius
A broad area of convection associated with the near-equatorial trough persisted on December 24, in tandem with a circulation southwest of Diego Garcia. For several days, the thunderstorms pulsated without much development. On December 27, the MFR designated the system as Tropical Disturbance 4, and more earnest convective development ensued. Moving southwestward around a ridge to the southeast, the disturbance intensified into Moderate Tropical Storm Darius on December 30. On the next day, an eye feature developed, indicative of a stronger storm. Both the MFR and the JTWC estimated peak winds of 100 km/h (60 mph) on December 31.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Storm Darius
A trough to the west prevented further development and steered Darius more to the south, bringing it east of St. Brandon on January 1. On the next day, the severe tropical storm passed just 15 km (9 mi) east of Mahébourg, Mauritius. An approaching cold front accelerated Darius to the south and south-southeast toward an area of higher wind shear. On January 4, the MFR declared the storm as extratropical.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Storm Darius
On the sparsely-populated St. Brandon archipelago, wind gusts reached 121 km/h (75 mph) during the storm. The large circulation of Darius brought heavy rainfall to the Mascarene Islands, which helped end a drought in Mauritius. Rains there peaked at 271 mm (10.7 in), and wind gusts on the island peaked at 112 km/h (70 mph), located in the weaker quadrant of the storm.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Elita
Tropical Disturbance 06 developed in the Mozambique Channel on January 24 off the west coast of Madagascar. Drifting southwestward at first, the system became more defined and shifted its trajectory to the north. The JTWC initiated advisories on January 26 as Tropical Cyclone 09S, and on the same day, the MFR upgraded the system to Moderate Tropical Storm Elita. A ridge to the northeast turned the storm toward the southeast, and Elita made its first landfall on Madagascar on January 28 near Mahajanga. The airport there recorded 10 minute sustained winds of 126 km/h (78 mph), warranting an upgrade to tropical cyclone status. Elita was the first storm of that intensity to strike western Madagascar since Cyclone Cynthia in 1991.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Elita
Over land, the weakening system moved southeastward, emerging into the western Indian Ocean on January 29. After weakening to tropical depression status, Elita re-intensified into a moderate tropical storm, turned westward, and made a second landfall near Mananjary on January 30. The storm reemerged into the Mozambique Channel and stalled off western Madagascar before turning back to the southeast. On February 2, the JTWC estimated peak winds of 120 km/h (75 mph), but the MFR maintained Elita as a severe tropical storm due to lack of observations.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Elita
On the same day, the storm made its third and final landfall near Morondava, crossing the country and emerging near Manakara. Elita lost its remaining convection and transitioned into a hybrid storm, before the MFR declared the storm as extratropical on February 5. The remnants meandered for about a week, finally exiting the region on February 13.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Elita
Elita dropped heavy rainfall of over 200 mm (8 in, which damaged or destroyed thousands of houses in Madagascar. Over 55,000 people were left homeless, primarily in Mahajanga and Toliara provinces. Flooding from the storm damaged or destroyed more than 450 km2 (170 sq mi) of agricultural land. Across the island, the cyclone caused at least 33 deaths, and the impacts were compounded by Cyclone Gafilo's deadly passage about two months later. Elsewhere, the cyclone brought rainfall and damage to Mozambique and Malawi, while its outer circulation produced rough seas and strong winds in Seychelles, Mauritius, and Réunion.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Intense Tropical Cyclone Frank
A strong pulse in the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) produced a circulation in the Intertropical Convergence Zone to the north of Rodrigues on January 26, which developed into a tropical disturbance that day. This was the same weather system that spawned Cyclone Elita near Madagascar and Tropical Cyclone Linda northwest of Australia. A day earlier, convection increased in the region, fueled by decreasing wind shear and an otherwise favorable environment. The disturbance quickly intensified in these conditions, and was upgraded to Moderate Tropical Storm Frank on January 28. Soon after, a small eye developed within the convection. Frank attained tropical cyclone intensity on January 29, a rate of development the MFR remarked as "explosive." A passing trough enhanced the outflow of the small storm, but also weakened the eye and halted development due to wind shear.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Intense Tropical Cyclone Frank
After a general path to the southwest, the storm turned to the west-northwest on January 30 into an area of lighter wind shear. Attaining winds of 165 km/h (105 mph), Frank redeveloped an eye and was upgraded to an intense tropical cyclone by the MFR. Steered by high-pressure areas in the vicinity, the cyclone turned back to the southeast. It weakened while crossing its former path, where water temperatures had dropped due to upwelling. After reaching warmer waters, Frank re-intensified and attained a peak intensity of 185 km/h (115 mph) on February 2, according to the MFR.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Intense Tropical Cyclone Frank
The JTWC estimated peak winds of 145 mph (235 km/h). The intensity fluctuated for two days, when a definitive weakening trend began. The cyclone turned to the southwest and encountered stronger wind shear. Frank resumed its southeast path on February 5 as the center became dislocated from the convection. A day later, the MFR declared the storm as extratropical, and followed the residual low for three more days.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Gafilo
In early March, an expansive area of convection persisted near the Chagos archipelago, related to the monsoon trough. The eastern half of the system would eventually become Severe Tropical Storm Nicky–Helma. The western half organized into a tropical disturbance on March 1. Steered by a ridge to the south, the system tracked generally westward, intensifying into Moderate Tropical Storm Gafilo on March 3. By the next day, Gafilo intensified to tropical cyclone status, aided by decreasing wind shear and the warmest waters of the year.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Gafilo
The storm had a large size, extending 1,700 km (1,050 mi) from the Mascarene Islands to the Seychelles, with a distinct eye in the center of the convection. The large wind field dropped heavy rainfall on Réunion to the south of the storm, reaching 393 mm (15.5 in) in the island's volcanic peaks. High waves over 4 m (13 ft) in height affected the island for a few days, which flooded a road and a hotel. The wind field extended far north to the Seychelles, dropping 159 mm (6.3 in) on Mahé island. On Tromelin Island, wind gusts reached 122 km/h (76 mph) while the storm passed nearby.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Gafilo
Moving west-southwestward toward northern Madagascar, Gafilo had outflow channels in three directions, an unusual but very favorable set of atmospheric conditions. The cyclone rapidly intensified beginning on March 5. At 12:00 UTC on March 6, the MFR estimated peak 10 minute winds of 230 km/h (145 mph), making Gafilo a very intense tropical cyclone. The agency also estimated a minimum pressure of 895 mbar (26.4 inHg), the lowest on record in the basin. Around the same time, the JTWC estimated peak 1 minute winds of 260 km/h (160 mph), equivalent to a Category 5 on the Saffir–Simpson scale.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Gafilo
Gafilo weakened slightly due to an eyewall replacement cycle, but made landfall with much of its intensity just south of Antalaha in northeastern Madagascar around 00:00 UTC on March 7. One of the strongest cyclones on record to strike Madagascar, Gafilo wrecked 85% of the structures in Antalaha. According to the International Disaster Database, Gafilo killed 363 people in the country and left $250 million in damage (2004 USD). The cyclone struck the country less than two months after Cyclone Elita, resulting in additional losses for farmers of cloves, vanilla, and ylang-ylang.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Gafilo
Nationwide, Gafilo destroyed over 20,000 homes, leaving 304,000 people homeless, more than half near Antalaha. The cyclone damaged or destroyed 3,400 schools and 413 public buildings. The large circulation produced hurricane-force winds along the west coast near Mahajanga, an unprecedented event for a storm striking the island's east coast. A boat capsized in Bombetoka Bay, killing at least seven people. The ferry Sansom, sailing from Comoros to Mahajanga with 120 people aboard, capsized amid high waves, with only three survivors.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Gafilo
The cyclone moved southwestward through the country, disrupting the inner convective core. The large dropped over 275 mm (10.8 in) of rainfall and produced 107 km/h (66 mph) winds on Mayotte. On March 8, Gafilo emerged into the Mozambique Channel, and soon after turned to the southeast, moving ashore southwestern Madagascar late on March 9 as a severe tropical storm. The storm meandered over southern Madagascar for three days before emerging off the island's east coast on March 13. Passing south of Réunion, Gafilo transitioned into a subtropical storm on March 14, before becoming an extratropical cyclone the next day. The storm turned back to the west, dissipating on March 18 south of Réunion.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Storm Nicky–Helma
A weak low-pressure area was evident within the monsoon trough on March 2 in the eastern periphery of the basin. Thunderstorms fluctuated around a weak circulation, which crossed 90° E into the Australian basin on March 7. On the next day, the system became better organized, and the BoM designated it as a tropical low. Fueled by warm waters and moderate but decreasing wind shear, the low strengthened as it moved southwestward around a ridge. The BoM upgraded the low to Tropical Cyclone Nicky on March 9, well to the west of the Cocos Islands. On the next day, the storm crossed 90° E into the South-West Indian Ocean, whereupon it was renamed Helma.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Storm Nicky–Helma
A central dense overcast organized over Helma's center, briefly developing an eye feature on March 11. That day, the MFR estimated peak winds of 110 km/h (70 mph), making Helma a severe tropical storm. The JTWC, which designated the system Tropical Cyclone 17S, upgraded Helma to the equivalent of a minimal hurricane with peak winds of 120 km/h (75 mph). An approaching trough increased wind shear and caused the storm to weaken, leaving the center exposed by late on March 12. After turning to the south, Helma turned back to the southwest as a weakened depression, later turning to the southeast ahead of a cold front. The circulation dissipated on March 16 without affecting land.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Storm Oscar–Itseng
An active pulse in the MJO and a Rossby wave spawned Cyclone Fay and what would become Cyclone Oscar–Itseng in the Australian region. The origins of the latter storm were from a low-pressure area that developed southwest of Christmas Island on March 20. The BoM classified it as a tropical low on the next day. The system moved southward at first before beginning a westward trajectory. On March 23, the BoM upgraded the system to Tropical Cyclone Oscar south of the Cocos Islands, and the JTWC classified the storm as Tropical Cyclone 20S.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Storm Oscar–Itseng
An eye became established in the center of the convection, and the JTWC upgraded Oscar to the equivalent of hurricane status on March 25. On the next day, the agency estimated peak 1 minute winds of 215 km/h (135 mph), while the BoM estimated peak 10 minute winds of 165 km/h (105 mph).


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Storm Oscar–Itseng
Dry air and increased wind shear weakened the cyclone, leaving the circulation exposed from the convection. Late on March 27, Oscar crossed 90° E into the South-West Indian Ocean, whereupon it was renamed Itseng. Its peak intensity in the basin was 100 mph (160 km/h), according to the MFR. On March 28, the storm weakened into a tropical depression, and the JTWC discontinued advisories. A day later, the circulation turned to the west-northwest, steered by the ridge to the south. Late on March 29, Itseng dissipated without having affected land.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Storm Juba
In late April into early May, a westerly wind burst produced a large area of convection extending from southern India to the Chagos Archipelago. In the North Indian Ocean, the convection eventually organized into a tropical storm off the west coast of India. In the southern hemisphere, the convection was broad and had two weak circulations. One of the vortices dissipated on May 5, leaving the other center as the dominant system. Despite northeasterly wind shear, convection increased around this center enough for the MFR to designate it a tropical disturbance on May 5.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Storm Juba
On the same day, the JTWC designated the system as Tropical Cyclone 23S. For about a week, the disturbance meandered on a general westward trajectory without much development. During this time, the JTWC discontinued advisories after thunderstorms diminished. On May 11, the wind shear dropped, allowing convection to reorganize over the center. The storm began a southwest trajectory, and intensified into Moderate Tropical Storm Juba on May 12. Such storms in May are unusual, but Juba marked the third consecutive year that a May storm developed in the basin, after Manou in 2003 and Kesiny in 2002.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Storm Juba
Moving due southward on May 13, Juba quickly intensified in an area of minimal wind shear and beneficial outflow. That day, the MFR upgraded Juba to a severe tropical storm, estimating peak 10 minute sustained winds of 100 km/h (60 mph). The JTWC estimated that the storm intensified to the equivalent of a minimal hurricane, with 1 minute winds of 120 km/h (75 mph). The wind shear increased on May 14, stripping the center of the deep convection. Later that day, the JTWC discontinued advisories. The MFR downgraded Juba to a tropical disturbance on May 15. The weak circulation turned to the south, passing just west of Rodrigues Island on May 16. There, the thunderstorms dropped 102 mm (4.0 in) of rainfall, which proved beneficial due to the island facing water shortages.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Other systems
Toward the end of January, an area of convection extended from the coast of Africa. On January 22, the MFR designated the system as Zone of Disturbed Weather 05, after a circulation became present northeast of Madagascar. Unfavorable wind shear prevented development, and the MFR discontinued advisories on January 24. The same MJO pulse that spawned cyclones Elita and Frank also produced an area of convection in the eastern portion of the basin on January 27. A day later, the system organized enough for the MFR to designate it Tropical Disturbance 08. Soon after, the circulation moved southeastward, crossing 90º E into the neighboring Australian basin. There, the BoM tracked the storm, upgrading it to Tropical Cyclone Linda on January 30, and tracking it until February 1.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Other systems
A low pressure moved westward from the Australian basin on March 15, potentially a continuation of Tropical Cyclone Evan which moved across Northern Australia in early March. The MFR designated the low as Tropical Disturbance 11, estimating peak winds of 45 km/h (30 mph). The agency discontinued advisories on March 21 while the disturbance was near Agaléga island. That day, convection increased over the circulation despite moderate wind shear. On March 23, the JTWC classified the system as Tropical Cyclone 21S, but the agency discontinued advisories on the next day.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Other systems
The MFR reissued advisories on March 25, following the weak system on a general westward trajectory until March 28 to the northeast of Madagascar. On March 31, the MFR briefly issued advisories on Tropical Disturbance 13 on a system east-southeast of Agaléga. With only pulsing thunderstorms, the system quickly weakened, and the agency ceased issuing advisories. The MFR also issued advisories for Zone of Disturbed Weather 14 on April 26 to the north-northeast of Mauritius, noting an area of thunderstorms and a poorly-defined circulation. The system failed to develop further.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Systems, Other systems
The final system of the year was Zone of Disturbed Weather 16, which originated east-northeast of Diego Garcia on May 19. The weak system moved to the west-southwest, and the MFR issued their last advisory on May 24.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Storm names
A tropical disturbance is named when it reaches moderate tropical storm strength. If a tropical disturbance reaches moderate tropical storm status west of 55°E, then the Sub-regional Tropical Cyclone Advisory Centre in Madagascar assigns the appropriate name to the storm. If a tropical disturbance reaches moderate tropical storm status between 55°E and 90°E, then the Sub-regional Tropical Cyclone Advisory Centre in Mauritius assigns the appropriate name to the storm. A new annual list is used every year so no names are retired.


2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Seasonal effects
This table lists all of the tropical cyclones and subtropical cyclones that were monitored during the 2003–2004 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. Information on their intensity, duration, name, areas affected, primarily comes from RSMC La Réunion. Death and damage reports come from either press reports or the relevant national disaster management agency while the damage totals are given in 2003 or 2004 USD.


2003–04 Southampton F.C. season
During the 2003–04 English football season, Southampton Football Club competed in the Premier League.


2003–04 Southampton F.C. season, Season summary
The previous season's FA Cup runners-up failed to make an impact in any of the cup competitions, and their 12th-place finish was a something of a disappointment after the previous season, when Southampton were eighth in the league - their highest ever in the Premiership and their highest in the top flight since 1990. The club was thrown into further turmoil in March, when Gordon Strachan announced his resignation as manager. There was talk that Glenn Hoddle would be returning to the club for a second spell, but the job went to Plymouth Argyle's Paul Sturrock instead.


2003–04 Southampton F.C. season, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 Southampton F.C. season, First-team squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 Southampton F.C. season, Reserve squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 Southampton F.C. season, Youth squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 Southeastern Conference women's basketball season
The 2003–04 SEC women's basketball season began with practices in October 2003, followed by the start of the 2003–04 NCAA Division I women's basketball season in November. Conference play started in early January 2004 and concluded in March, followed by the 2004 SEC Women's Basketball Tournament at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee.


2003–04 Southern Football League
The 2003–04 Southern Football League season was the 101st in the history of the league, an English football competition.


2003–04 Southern Football League
It was the last season for the Southern Football League as a feeder for the Conference Premier. At the end of the season, the Premier Division was replaced as a level 6 league (along with the Northern Premier League Premier Division and Isthmian League Premier Division) by the newly formed Conference North and Conference South. The Premier Division lost more than half its clubs to newly formed divisions, and the two regional divisions had a number of their clubs promoted to the Premier Division to replace them. Thus, the Southern Football League divisions downgraded to 7-8 levels.


2003–04 Southern Football League, Premier Division
The Premier Division consisted of 22 clubs, including 17 clubs from the previous season and five new clubs:


2003–04 Southern Football League, Premier Division
Crawley Town won the division and were promoted to the Conference National. Clubs finished higher than 14th position were to transfer to the newly created Conference North and South divisions and clubs finished higher than 18th position plus winners of divisions One were to participate in the play-offs for a two final spots in Conference North/South.


2003–04 Southern Football League, Premier Division
There were no relegation from the Premier Division this season, though, due to league reform, clubs remained in the division downgraded from sixth tier to seventh.


2003–04 Southern Football League, Eastern Division
The Eastern Division consisted of 22 clubs, including 18 clubs from the previous season and four new clubs:


2003–04 Southern Football League, Western Division
The Western Division consisted of 22 clubs, including 18 clubs from the previous season and four new clubs:


2003–04 Sparta Rotterdam season
The 2003–2004 Sparta Rotterdam season was the second football) year in which the in 1888 formed club from Rotterdam had to play in the Dutch Second League. In the 2001–2002 season the team relegated for the first time in history by ending up in 17th place in the Eredivisie, and fourth in the play-offs for promotion and relegation ("nacompetitie"). Former Sparta defender Mike Snoei was the successor of Chris Dekker as Sparta's manager.


2003–04 Spartan South Midlands Football League
The 2003–04 Spartan South Midlands Football League season is the 7th in the history of Spartan South Midlands Football League a football competition in England.


2003–04 Spartan South Midlands Football League, Premier Division
The Premier Division featured 17 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with two clubs, promoted from Division One:


2003–04 Spartan South Midlands Football League, Division One
Division One featured 16 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with two new clubs:


2003–04 Spartan South Midlands Football League, Division Two
Division Two featured 13 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with four new clubs:


2003–04 Spartan South Midlands Football League, Division Two
Also, Padbury United changed name to Padbury B T F C.


2003–04 Sporting CP season
Sporting Clube de Portugal had a disappointing season in the wake of the selling of starlet Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United. They finished one point behind arch rivals Benfica, who clinched the final spot for the Champions League thanks to a late goal by Geovanni in the penultimate round of the season in the Lisbon derby.


2003–04 Sporting de Gijón season
The 2003–04 Sporting de Gijón season was the sixth consecutive season of the club in Segunda División after its last relegation from La Liga.


2003–04 Sporting de Gijón season, Overview
In July 2003, due to the financial difficulties, Real Sporting sold David Villa to Zaragoza by €2.5m


2003–04 Sporting de Gijón season, Overview
On 15 February 2004, in the game at Algeciras, Roberto beat the record for the longest clean sheet in Real Sporting at 727 minutes.


2003–04 Sporting de Gijón season, Overview
On 23 May 2004, Real Sporting earned one point at SD Eibar in the additional time, in a game where the rojiblancos ended with eight players after the referee sent off Yago, Cristian Díaz and David Bauzá in ten minutes.


2003–04 Sporting de Gijón season, Overview
Real Sporting ended the season in the fifth position, finally failing to promote and with 13 red cards.


2003–04 Sporting de Gijón season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 Sporting de Gijón season, Squad, From the youth squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 Sri Lankan cricket season
The 2003–04 Sri Lankan cricket season featured two Test series with Sri Lanka playing against England and Australia.


2003–04 Sri Lankan cricket season, Test series
Sri Lanka won the 3 match Test series against England 1-0 and also 4 limited overs internationals, one of which was the Bungle in the jungle. Sri Lanka won the Test series by winning 1 of the 3 matches with 2 drawn:


2003–04 Sri Lankan cricket season, Test series
Australia won the Test series 3-0 after Sri Lankan led in the 1st innings of each match by substantial amounts:


2003–04 St. Francis Terriers men's basketball team
The 2003–04 St. Francis Terriers men's basketball team represented St. Francis College during the 2003–04 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team was coached by Ron Ganulin, who was in his thirteenth year at the helm of the St. Francis Terriers. The Terrier's home games were played at the  Generoso Pope Athletic Complex. The team has been a member of the Northeast Conference since 1981.


2003–04 St. Francis Terriers men's basketball team
The Terriers participated in their first NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament, losing in the first round to Massachusetts 58–80. The Terriers proceeded to finish the season at 15–13 overall and 12–6 in conference play, to tie for the Conference Regular Season Championship with Monmouth. This is the second Regular Season Championship for the Terriers, the last one coming in the 2000–01 season.


2003–04 St. John's Red Storm men's basketball team
The 2003–04 St. John's Red Storm men's basketball team represented St. John's University during the 2003–04 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team was coached by Mike Jarvis in his sixth year at the school until he was replaced by interim coach Kevin Clark. St. John's home games are played at Carnesecca Arena, then called Alumni Hall, and Madison Square Garden and the team is a member of the Big East Conference.


2003–04 St. Louis Blues season
The 2003–04 St. Louis Blues season was the 37th for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri. The Blues qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the 25th straight seasons, the team's final playoff appearance until 2009. After finishing the regular season with a record of 39 wins, 30 losses, 11 ties and two overtime losses, the Blues were eliminated in the Western Conference Quarterfinals in five games by the San Jose Sharks.


2003–04 St. Louis Blues season, Off-season
Chris Pronger resigned the team captaincy in favour of veteran defenceman Al MacInnis.


2003–04 St. Louis Blues season, Regular season, Final standings
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.


2003–04 St. Louis Blues season, Regular season, Final standings
Divisions: CE – Central, PA – Pacific, NW – Northwest


2003–04 St. Louis Blues season, Regular season, Final standings
P –  Clinched Presidents Trophy; Y –  Clinched Division; X –  Clinched Playoff spot


2003–04 St. Louis Blues season, Draft picks
St. Louis's draft picks at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee.


2003–04 Stade Lavallois season
The 2003–04 season was the 102nd season in the existence of Stade Lavallois and the club's 11th consecutive season in the second division of French football. In addition to the domestic league, Stade Lavallois participated in this season's editions of the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue.


2003–04 Stade Malherbe Caen season
The 2003–04 season was the 91st season in the existence of Stade Malherbe Caen and the club's seventh consecutive season in the second division of French football. In addition to the domestic league, Stade Malherbe Caen participated in this season's editions of the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue.


2003–04 Stanford Cardinal men's basketball team
The 2003–04 Stanford Cardinal men's basketball team represented Stanford University in the 2003–04 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. It was Head Coach Mike Montgomery's eighteenth and final season with the Cardinal. The Cardinal were a member of the Pacific-10 Conference and were the Pac-10 regular season champions as well as the Pac-10 Tournament champions.


2003–04 Stanford Cardinal men's basketball team, Rankings
Stanford was ranked #17 in the preseason Coaches' Poll and #20 in the preseason AP Poll. After going undefeated after 14 games, the Cardinal climbed to #2 in both polls (behind only Duke) by the ninth week of the season, where they remained until the thirteenth week of the season when they reached #1 in both polls. The Cardinal remained there until dropping to #2 in the sixteenth week (behind undefeated St. Joseph's) after their undefeated streak of 26 games ended when they were upset by Washington. The Cardinal returned to the #1 ranking the following week (the final poll of the season) after St. Joseph's lost 87–67 to Xavier in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Tournament.


2003–04 Stockport County F.C. season
The 2003–04 season is Stockport County's 122nd season in football. Stockport finished the league season in 19th, two places off the relegation zone. This season ran from 9 August 2003 to 8 May 2004.


2003–04 Stockport County F.C. season, Background
Following a poor start to the 2003–2004 season player-manager Carlton Palmer was sacked by the club in September.


2003–04 Stockport County F.C. season, Background
Upon completion of the Euro 2004 qualifying matches with Northern Ireland, Sammy McIlroy re-entered club management signing a three-year deal in October 2003.


2003–04 Stockport County F.C. season, Team, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 Stoke City F.C. season
The 2003–04 season was Stoke City's 97th season in the Football League and the 37th in the second tier.


2003–04 Stoke City F.C. season
With Stoke being successful in avoiding relegation manager Tony Pulis could begin making alterations to his squad for the 2003–04 season. A number of ins and outs followed but after a good start Stoke won just five of their first 21 matches and it seemed that another fight against relegation would be required. But after a win against West Ham United in December Stoke went nine matches unbeaten and pulled themselves away from relegation trouble. Their good form continued until the end of the season with Stoke ending a promising season of consolidation in 11th position with 66 points.


2003–04 Stoke City F.C. season, Season review, League
Manager Tony Pulis made a number of alterations to his squad in the summer of 2003 as a number of players which helped Stoke gain promotion and subsequent survival left the club and in came several new players. These included experienced goalkeeper Ed de Goey, defenders Clint Hill and John Halls, midfielders John Eustace and Darel Russell and forwards Carl Asaba and Gifton Noel-Williams whilst the most notable departures was that of James O'Connor and fan favourite Sergei Shtanuk.


2003–04 Stoke City F.C. season, Season review, League
Stoke began the 2003–04 season well beating Derby County 3–0 on the opening match and then Wimbledon to see Stoke sitting top of the table after two matches. But Stoke's form soon fell away and despite the return of Ade Akinbiyi Stoke won just 5 of their first 21 fixtures which ended with a 3–2 defeat at home to Cardiff City with former fan favorite Peter Thorne scoring a hat trick but such as his popularity with the club he refused to celebrate and earned a standing ovation from the Stoke supporters.


2003–04 Stoke City F.C. season, Season review, League
With Stoke looking likely to be involved in another scrap against relegation Pulis brought in experienced no nonsense defender Gerry Taggart and in his first match he helped Stoke claim an unlikely three points away at high-flying West Ham United. This prompted Stoke's revival and in the next match Stoke beat Reading 3–0 with a hat trick from Dutch winger Peter Hoekstra.


2003–04 Stoke City F.C. season, Season review, League
Stoke remained unbeaten for six more matches until their run was halted by a heavy 6–3 defeat at Crystal Palace. Whilst there was some hope from the fans that Stoke could mount a late push for a play-off spot they failed to keep a consistent run of form going and ended the season in a mid-table position of 11th. It was a promising end to the season with Stoke beating all-ready promoted West Bromwich Albion 4–1 and the feeling around the club was that they could now begin to look for a promotion to the Premier League rather that worry about being relegated to the third tier.


2003–04 Stoke City F.C. season, Season review, FA Cup
Stoke drew Wimbledon in the third round who had now moved to Milton Keynes and after a bad tempered 1–1 draw at the National Hockey Stadium a free kick from Adam Nowland settled the replay.


2003–04 Stoke City F.C. season, Season review, League Cup
Stoke had a poor League Cup campaign as they narrowly beat Rochdale and were then knocked out 2–0 by Gillingham.


2003–04 Sunderland A.F.C. season
During the 2003–04 English football season, Sunderland A.F.C. competed in the Football League First Division.


2003–04 Sunderland A.F.C. season, Season Summary
While the dismal ending to the previous season, combined with losses in their opening two matches lead to fears that Sunderland might spend the season battling a second successive relegation, a run of 7 wins from their next 10 matches quickly ended any such fears.


2003–04 Sunderland A.F.C. season, Season Summary
A couple of spells of indifferent form meant that the club didn't convincingly challenge for automatic promotion until the closing stages of the season, and then another poor run of form in the season's closing stages, including the loss of a six-pointer to fellow promotion hopefuls West Bromwich Albion, just as quickly ended any such hopes. Sunderland were still considered favourites going into the play-offs, but a loss on penalties to Crystal Palace, who had gate-crashed the play-offs on the final day of the season, meant a second season in Division One (or, as it would be re-branded the following season, the Championship).


2003–04 Sunderland A.F.C. season, Players, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 Sunderland A.F.C. season, Players, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 Sunderland A.F.C. season, Players, Reserves
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 Sunshine Tour
The 2003–04 Sunshine Tour was the fourth season of professional golf tournaments since the southern Africa based Sunshine Tour was rebranded in 2000. The Sunshine Tour represents the highest level of competition for male professional golfers in the region.


2003–04 Sunshine Tour
There were 17 tournaments on the schedule. This was an increase of one from the previous year. There were three tournaments from the previous season that were eliminated: the Dimension Data Better-Ball tournament, the Vodacom Golf Classic, and the Vodacom Players Championship. Three new tournaments were added: the Canon Classic (played in 2003 only), the Devondale Championship (played in 2003 only), and the Parmalat Classic. The tour was based predominantly in South Africa, with 13 of the 17 tournaments being held in the country. Two events were held in Swaziland, and one event each was held in Botswana and Zambia. Two events, the Dunhill Championship and the South African Airways Open were co-sanctioned by the European Tour.


2003–04 Sunshine Tour, Schedule
The table below shows schedule of events for the 2003–04 Sunshine Tour. As usual, the tour consisted of two distinct parts, commonly referred to as the "Summer Swing" and "Winter Swing". Tournaments held during the Summer Swing generally had much higher prize funds, attracted stronger fields, and were the only tournaments on the tour to carry world ranking points.


2003–04 Sunshine Tour, Schedule
Prize funds shown did not count directly towards the Order of Merit. The number in brackets after each winner's name is the number of official money Sunshine Tour events he had won up to and including that tournament. This information is only shown for Sunshine Tour members.


2003–04 Super 16 season
The 2003–04 Super 16 season was the 83rd season of the Super 16, the top level of ice hockey in France. 15 teams participated in the league, and Gothiques d'Amiens won their second league title.


2003–04 SuperBest Ligaen season
The 2003–04 SuperBest Ligaen season was the 47th season of ice hockey in Denmark. Nine teams participated in the league, and Esbjerg IK won the championship.


2003–04 Superliga Femenina
The 2003–04 Superliga season was the 16th since its establishment.


2003–04 Sussex County Football League
The 2003–04 Sussex County Football League season was the 79th in the history of Sussex County Football League a football competition in England.


2003–04 Sussex County Football League, Division One
Division One featured 16 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with four new clubs.


2003–04 Sussex County Football League, Division One
St Leonards resigned from the league January 2004 and their playing record of P21 W7 D4 L10 GF32 GA35 P25 was expunged.


2003–04 Sussex County Football League, Division Two
Division Two featured 12 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with six new clubs.


2003–04 Sussex County Football League, Division Three
Division Three featured 13 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with one new club:


2003–04 Sussex County Football League, Division Three
Also, Ifield merged with Edwards Sports to form Ifield Edwards.


2003–04 Swansea City A.F.C. season
During the 2003–04 English football season, Swansea City A.F.C. competed in the Football League Third Division.


2003–04 Swansea City A.F.C. season, Season summary
After narrowly avoiding relegation from the Football League on the final day of the previous season, Kenny Jackett's Swansea improved dramatically on last term's 21st-place finish with 10th place, although they were still 12 points adrift of 9th-placed Oxford United. Their cup form improved too, beating Premiership hopefuls Preston North End in the fourth round of the FA Cup before being knocked out by Tranmere Rovers.


2003–04 Swansea City A.F.C. season, Season summary
Striker Lee Trundle, signed from Welsh rivals Wrexham, finished 7th highest scorer (joint with Lincoln City's Gary Fletcher) in the division with 17 goals.


2003–04 Swansea City A.F.C. season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 Swansea City A.F.C. season, Squad
While on loan from Manchester United, Alan Tate wore the number 27 jersey.


2003–04 Swansea City A.F.C. season, Squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2003–04 Swedish Figure Skating Championships
The 2003–04 Swedish Figure Skating Championships were held in Örebro from December 5 through 7, 2003. Because they were held in December, they were officially designated by the Swedish federation as the 2003 Swedish Championships, but the champions are the 2004 Swedish Champions. Skaters competed in the disciplines of men's and ladies' singles, with the results among the selection criteria for the 2004 World Championships, the 2004 European Championships, and the 2004 World Junior Championships.


2003–04 Swindon Town F.C. season
The 2003–04 season was Swindon Town's fourth season in the Division Two since their relegation from the second tier of English football in 2000. Alongside the league campaign, Swindon Town also competed in the FA Cup, League Cup and the Football League Trophy.


2003–04 Swiss Challenge League
The 2003–04 Swiss Challenge League was the 1st season of the Swiss Challenge League, and the 72nd season of second-tier football in Switzerland. FC Schaffhausen won the league and gained promotion to the Swiss Super League for the following season. SR Delémont finished last and were relegated to the Swiss 1. Liga.