In 1999 the CEV resolved to do another change of the mode. In the future the final round of the ECH will be played with 12 teams (like in 2003), whereas six teams will already be qualified in the run-up to the final round. That will be the five first-ranked teams of the ECH 2001 (Yugoslavia, Italy, Russia, Czech Republic and Poland) as well as the organiser of the ECH 2003 (Germany).

That means that there will be only six ECH-places left to assign in the qualification of the ECH.

In the qualification of the ECH in 2002/2003 16 teams will start divided into four quarternary groups. Per group there will be two tournaments at each case (the 1st in 2002, the 2nd 2003 from 9th -11th of May) played at one weekend. The four winners of each group as well as the two best 2nd-ranked teams of all the groups will be qualified for the ECH.