Sudmalis is considered the most skillful footballer in the history of Liepāja, he had a good speed, tactical strength and he played well with the head.
After World War II when Olimpija was reformed as Daugava Liepāja Sudmalis at first stayed with the club but in 1946 he was called up to Riga to join FK Dinamo Rīga which played in the Soviet league.
[citation needed][2] Over four seasons Sudmalis played 87 matches in the top Soviet league with Daugava and scored 1 goal.
Sudmalis played with Sarkanais Metalurgs until 1959 when the club earned promotion to the second Soviet league, over these years winning the Latvian league title five times and the Latvian Cup two times.
After retiring from football Sudmalis worked in the Sarkanais Metalurgs metallurgy factory.