OSLO, Norway -- Italy beat Norway 2-0 in its opening European Championship qualifier on Tuesday as Antonio Conte extended his winning start as coach. Pedro Strop Jersey . 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. Leon Durham Jersey . Off-season additions Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley did not train with the club today, prompting Nelsen to declare its too early to tell if either will be ready for Saturday. Jason Heyward Jersey .C. -- Theyll remember the OT from the first Syracuse-Duke game -- and the Ts that decided Round 2. http://www.customcubsjersey.com/custom-willson-contreras-jersey-large-1700n.html . -- New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has no concerns about the health of shortstop Derek Jeter, who was limited to 17 games last season due to leg injuries.CLEVELAND -- Sitting on a stage last week alongside No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Wiggins and new coach David Blatt, general manager David Griffin said he hoped this would be a monumental off-season for the Cavaliers. Its already been quite a summer. And LeBron James is still out there. Cleveland kept its momentum rolling early Tuesday by getting All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving to agree to a new, five-year, $90 million contract extension. Irvings deal, completed with a handshake in New York with owner Dan Gilbert, cements a commitment with Cleveland that wasnt always so strong. "Im here for the long haul Cleveland!!!! And Im ecstatic!!" Irving wrote on his Twitter account shortly after the agreement was reached. "Super excited and blessed to be here and a part of something special." For months, Irvings future with the Cavs seemed uncertain. There were reports he wasnt happy in Cleveland as well as speculation the Cavs didnt believe he was a cornerstone player. There were trade rumours and rumblings the team was not going to offer him the maximum extension. Whatever differences there may have been seem to have been worked out. Griffin, who likes to refer to his team as "family," has the Cavs united. James surely has noticed. The Cavs have waited four years for their chance to lure the four-time league MVP back home. This may be the perfect time. Because Irvings extension doesnt kick in until the 2015-16 season, the Cavs have room under the salary cap to pursue free agents. They would have to move some other contracts if the reports are accurate that James will only sign for a max deal. Griffin has said clearing space to accommodate a five-year, $120 million contract would be extremely easy. The hard part might be getting James to believe the Cavs, who have not made the playoffs since he left in 2010, are title contenders -- now. Theyve got some quality pieces for sure, but do they have enough? Irving, who played in a career-high 71 games this past season, has established himself as one of the NBAs elite point guards, and now that the contract situation is no longer an issue, it may unburden him to play the best basketball of his life. Ryne Sandberg Jersey. The 6-foot-8 Wiggins would have been the top pick a year ago if he hadnt gone to college and James has long admired the 19-year-olds gifts. Its somewhat interesting that Griffin said Wiggins potential greatness would come at shooting guard, perhaps leaving an opening at small forward for a certain former Cavalier. To entice James, the Cavs may need to make a blockbuster move. Theyve got some assets to play with and a trade involving talented guard Dion Waiters could bring back a starter. Griffin hinted that he isnt done remodeling the Cavs. "We need to continue to work on the defensive side of the ball," he said at Wiggins introductory news conference. "We need to get better from a basketball IQ standpoint, from a shooting perspective. And all of those moves will be forthcoming." For several years, the Cavs have been involved in trade rumours involving Kevin Love, who has one year left on his deal with Minnesota. If Cleveland can package the right pieces together, they may be able to pry Love away from the Timberwolves. Love and James were teammates four years ago in the London Olympics, where they helped the U.S. win a gold medal. Back then, James said that when he won his first championship with Miami, his thoughts quickly shifted to Cleveland and what might have been. "I wish I could have won one there," he said before a practice. "I could only imagine how the parade would have been down East Ninth Street. Of course I thought about it because Cleveland helped me get to that point. The days that I spent there helped me get to the point where I was able to finally win one. Its just unfortunate I wasnt able to do it there." Its possible James will re-sign with the Heat and the Cavs will move on without him. But if they decide to pursue the two-time champion in the days ahead and get a meeting with James, the Cavs can sell their team and tug at his heart. James has never rejected the idea of a return to Cleveland. Maybe this is the summer to mend fences and start anew in a familiar place. ' ' '
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