Valérie Nicolas

Club career Nicolas was born in Lampaul-Guimiliau, Finistère, and started her professional career in USM Gagny. From 1995 to 2003 she played for top club ES Besançon. With Besançon she won the French Championship in 1998 and in 2001, and the French Cup in 2001 and 2002. In 2003, she won the French Championship, the French Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup. After this successful season, she moved to Denmark to play for Viborg HK. She stayed at Viborg from 2003 to 2007, winning two Danish Championships (in 2004 and 2006), two Danish Cups, the Champions League in 2006 and the EHF Cup in 2004. In 2000, she finished 6th at the Olympics in Sydney and 5th at the European Championship. She finished fifth at the 2001 World Championship with the French team and won a bronze medal at the 2002 European Women's Handball Championship. She won a gold medal with the French team at the 2003 World Championship and was voted Most Valuable Player and All-Star Team goalkeeper at the championship.

Awards MVP and member of the All Star Team of the 2003 World Championship Member of the All Star Team of the 2007 World Championship EHF Hall of Fame in 2023.