A 13-man-squad left Sydney on Friday for a 17-day tour of Italy and Turkey, which will include eight matches against top-line European nations including Italy, Serbia and Croatia.

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian told Sportal on Friday that the European tour is pivotal to his team's success against the Kiwis next month, where victory will guarantee a spot at the Beijing Olympics.

"I'm very much looking forward to the trip, it's going to make or break us really," Goorjian said.

"It's very important that we get better, and we're going to be able to train and we're going to be able to play quality opposition … so it's a very important trip."

Goorjian admitted the main aim of the trip is to build a strong team unit as many of his players have played very little basketball together.

"Our issue is getting these guys comfortable with each other and understanding their role," Goorjian said.

"As opposed to an individual thing this is more us getting comfortable with each other on the floor and getting a system in that they're comfortable with and them understanding their roles."

"Who's going to take the shots, who's going to come off the bench, who's going to be support and I think that is the key for us in this three-week period."

Goorjian is confident the tour will provide the perfect preparation for the Boomers who are set face the likes of Italy at full-strength, as the European nations prepare for their own Olympic qualifiers.

The veteran coach admitted the Kiwis will remain on his mind throughout the Boomers' European sojourn but expects the style of play they'll encounter to be worlds apart.

"The key is about Europe is that they're talented and you're getting different (challenges) every time you play."

"We'll be working on things to be effective against the Kiwis and if we play Croatia and the next night we've got Italy, when we go back to the hotel we'll be watching tape and talking about New Zealand," Goorjian said.

"Our goal and our whole purpose of being is to beat New Zealand, so (our plan is to get) quality competition, develop our style and come back prepared," Goorjian said.