She became World Champion in 2003 with the French team, and was also voted Most Valuable Player and Best Goalkeeper.

[4] Nicolas was born in Lampaul-Guimiliau, Finistère,[1] and started her professional career in USM Gagny.

[2] Until her retirement from the national team in 2008 (after the Summer Olympics), Valérie Nicolas played 234 international matches.

[2] At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, she finished fourth with the national team.

[3] She competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where the French team finished fifth,[1] and she ranked joint second on the Top Goalkeepers list with a 40% save rate.