LONDON: London Zoo's lioness Arya showed off some fairly impressive ball skills in her enclosure recently as England prepared to host the Women's European Championship.

Male lion Bhanu didn't seem to be interested in the balls that keepers introduced into the enclosure in the central London zoo, leaving it to his mate to play alone.

The zoo said the balls were treated with herbs and spices.

England face Austria at Old Trafford in the tournament opener on Wednesday 6 July. The game will lasts from 6-31 of July with 15 other nations joining England.

^{PHOTO:  LIONESS PLAYING WITH GIANT SOCCER BALLS AT ZOO}