ore this [being in the NBA], so they see my ups, they see my downs. Th

OSLO, Norway -- Italy beat Norway 2-0 in its opening European Championship qualifier on Tuesday as Antonio Conte extended his winning start as coach. Stitched Nike MLB Jerseys . Simone Zaza scored his first international goal in the 16th minute as Italy showed little sign of missing suspended striker Mario Balotelli. Strike partner Ciro Immobile was offside and in the goalkeepers line of vision, but the referee waved away Norways protests. Leonardo Bonucci doubled Italys lead shortly after the hour mark. Zaza also hit the crossbar late on and had an effort cleared off the line. "Ive had a dream week," Zaza said. "Now my aim is to remain in this squad and continue doing well." In the other matches in Group H, Bulgaria won 2-1 in Azerbaijan, while Croatia beat 10-man Malta 2-0. It was Contes first competitive match in charge after steering Italy to a 2-0 friendly win over the Netherlands on his debut last week. "It was an important match," Conte said. "It wasnt easy, its been a very long time since we won in Norway. These are three important points. In nine days we have managed to do important things with the lads, now we have to continue, get to know each other better to improve. "But I dont remember (Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi) Buffon getting his gloves dirty, while I remember several good chances for us to round out the scoreline. Its never easy to come here so Im happy. Obviously we need to improve but Im happy with the lads attitude." Conte replaced Cesare Prandelli, who resigned immediately after Italys first-round elimination from the World Cup. The former Juventus manager caused a stir when he left out Balotelli from his first squad -- although the new Liverpool striker was suspended for the qualifier. With Giuseppe Rossi out with knee problems, Conte started again with Immobile -- last years top scorer in Serie A -- and Zaza. Zaza, who was the first Sassuolo player to win an Italy cap, looked dangerous early on and he broke the deadlock following a mazy run with a shot from a tight angle which took a slight deflection to wrongfoot Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland. Norway almost levelled immediately but Joshua King fired over the bar under pressure from Andrea Ranocchia. Italy went close to doubling its lead when a fierce effort by Emanuele Giaccherini stung Nylands gloves and Immobile couldnt fire home the rebound. The Azzuri did score a second when Bonucci was left unmarked at the far post and headed in a cross from substitute Manuel Pasqual, who had just come off the bench. Zaza almost doubled his tally but saw his fierce effort crash off the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area. The 23-year-old was injured in the move and limped off. However, he was able to come back on after treatment on the sidelines and moments later saw an effort cleared off the line by Vegard Forren. Immobile was stretchered off in stoppage time but team doctor Enrico Castellacci later said it was "nothing to be concerned about." Elswhere, second-half goals from Luka Modric and Andrej Kramaric gave Croatia victory. Malta defender Steve Borg was sent off shortly after the half hour mark for hitting out at Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic. Substitute Ventsislav Hristovs late header saw Bulgaria snatch a 2-1 win in Azerbaijan. Ilian Micanski had scored the opener for Bulgaria before Dimitrij Nazarovs leveler. The top two teams from the nine groups qualify automatically, as does the best third-placed nation. The other eight third-placed teams can qualify through a playoff. Nike MLB Jerseys For Sale . Top-ranked Rafael Nadal was also taken to three sets but emerged with a 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-3 win over Tobias Kamke of Germany, while second-seeded David Ferrer joined Murray in making an early exit after a 6-4, 7-5 loss to Daniel Brands of Germany. MLB Jerseys From China . It took five games, but the Celtics finally helped Stevens earn his first NBA victory. "Im going to celebrate for a whole 12 minutes, and then Im going to start watching Orlando and trying to figure them out," the first-year Celtics coach said after Boston beat the Utah Jazz, one of the leagues other winless teams, 97-87 on Wednesday night. https://www.mlbjerseys2020.com/ . Joining him in this years class were Switzerlands Patrick Huerlimann and Norways Eigil Ramsfjell. The announcement was made at the world mens curling championship at Capital Indoor Stadium in China.CLEVELAND - The NBA All-Star weekend is the unofficial halfway mark of the NBA season and to say Anthony Bennetts rookie campaign hasnt gone quite as expected so far would be an understatement. The 20-year-old rookie from Toronto, the first Canadian ever selected with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft when the Cleveland Cavaliers grabbed him in 2013, has had anything but a storybook beginning to his professional career. While the rest of the NBAs best and brightest spent their weekend in New Orleans for All-Star festivities, Bennett was just the second No. 1 pick to not be selected for the annual Rising Stars game, composed of the leagues best rookie and sophomore players since Washingtons Kwame Brown in 2001. Bennett is patient when asked about his struggles. After starting his professional career 0-for-15 from the floor, hes had to get used to talking about it. "Well, its not the way I planned it to go, I can say that," Bennett said. "Im pretty sure everything will turn around soon. Im working hard and Ive got my teammates with me. The coaching staff has been helping me a lot so Ive just got to keep my head up and go hard." While his start hasnt been ideal, Bennett has faced the music and remained calm amid pressures and criticisms coming from all angles. Speaking in the Cavaliers locker room before a recent game in Cleveland, Bennett was frank about his struggles this season, while also confident that the tide was turning. "Its overwhelming, but Im pretty level headed," Bennett said. "Ive got nice teammates who have been in the league a few years. They can tell me a lot of what theyve been through. Ive been humble, level headed and working every day." The advice from teammates and coaches is the same: keep working. A visit to the Cavaliers practice facility showed he is taking that advice to heart. Long after everyone else has left the floor, Bennett remained. Practising free throws under the watchful eye of an assistant coach, Bennett looked like any other NBA rookie. "Everybody has had their part," Bennett said of the Cavaliers organization. "Helping me with my game, shooting after practice, or pulling me aside and giving me pointers here and there. Everybody has been really helpful." Injuring his shoulder prior to the NBA Draft, Bennetts rookie season was derailed before it began. Missing the Las VVegas Summer League where rookies get their first taste of NBA life, while also being unable to train during the offseason, Bennett came into the Cavaliers training camp with extra weight to accompany the extra pressure that every first overall pick carries with him. Wholesale MLB Jerseys. Playing sparingly at the beginning of the season, Bennett has worked hard to shed the extra pounds and get into game shape so hes ready to go when his name is called. Last Tuesday night, in a victory against the Sacramento Kings, Bennett posted his best performance to date, recording 19 points and 10 rebounds. He followed up the next night with a two-point, two-rebound performance. Bennetts roller-coaster experience serves as a reminder of the patience necessary when drafting young players each year. With half a season behind him, Bennett is starting to get a feel for what to expect each night he steps onto the floor as a pro. "In college it would be one game, someones a seven-footer, but the next game someone is six-foot-six," Bennett said. "Everyone is pretty much the same size now. Youve got to go hard every time." In addition to staying after practice for extra work, Bennett often returns for a second session. How does the first overall pick deal with the lows that have accompanied his season thus far? With a little help from his hometown friends. "My close friends from back home, theyve been with me from the start, before this [being in the NBA], so they see my ups, they see my downs. They know what Im going through." After a game where he hasnt performed well, or even gotten the chance to get off the bench, they are the ones who help keep Bennett focused on whats in front of him. "Every time I have a bad game or am feeling down, I hit them up and they tell me to keep staying with it," Bennett said. "Theyll come out here and after bad games theyll go with me straight to the gym. Thats something thats really helpful for me and Im thankful for it." As Bennett begins to show flashes of why the Cavaliers wanted him in the first place, he isnt allowing an unexpectedly difficult beginning make him lose sight of the fact that hes living his NBA dream. "Its a huge honour. Its a blessing, you know? I just cant let this opportunity slide for me. I have to work hard every day. This is my job. I have to work hard and be happy about it." ' ' '