Boomers to tackle Iran

Australia's national basketball team will warm up for this year's Olympic Games with a three-match series at home against Iran in June.

The Boomers have drawn Iran in the first round of competition at the Beijing Games and the three-game series will allow coach Brian Goorjian an opportunity to test his players against the current Asian champions.

The three-game series will kick off in Perth on June 16, before heading to Adelaide (June 18) and Melbourne (June 20) and will be referred to as the 'Boomers World Challenge'.

"We're delighted to have secured three games against Iran," Basketball Australia Chief Executive Scott Derwin said.

"We expect them as Asian Champions to be spirited competition and we hope the people of Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne get to a game to support the Boomers and Australian basketball in this critical step toward Beijing."

Iran defeated Lebanon to win the 2007 FIBA Asian Crown and in doing so earned a spot at the Beijing Games, where they will take on Australia, Argentina, Russia and Lithuania in the first round of qualification.