The 2002-03 campaign delivered a solid 8th-place finish for Wolfsburg as Die Wölfe secured a coveted spot in the UEFA Intertoto Cup. The season was highlighted by the headline-grabbing arrival of German legend Stefan Effenberg and the move to the state-of-the-art Volkswagen Arena. Leading the charge on the pitch was the clinical Tomislav Marić, whose 12 goals proved decisive in a campaign anchored by the creative brilliance of Martin Petrov. It was a pivotal year that consolidated the club's position in the Bundesliga and remains a significant chapter in their modern history.