Spurs were on Friday handed the easiest possible route to the competition proper when they drew Young Boys in the play-off round.
Harry Redknapp's men will face the Swiss side in a two-leg tie starting in Berne a week on Tuesday and England defender Dawson is desperate to progress.
"It means everything. We're two games away from the group stages and that's what it's all about now," he told Spurs TV Online.
"Two massive games against Young Boys and it's exciting times. But we've got to make sure we win and get into the group stages."
The tie was a dream pairing for Spurs, who avoided much trickier clashes with the likes of Dynamo Kiev, Sampdoria, Auxerre and Braga.
But Swiss runners-up Young Boys are not to be taken lightly, having stunned Fenerbahce in the previous round.
"They finished second last year, and they beat Fenerbahce to get through to the next stage to meet us," Dawson said.
"So we know it's going to be a tough game but we're excited.
"Away leg first and that's all we can ask for. Hopefully get a good result over there and bring them back to White Hart Lane and have an even better result at home."
Source: PA
Source: PA