- Voldemārs Sudmalis
Voldemārs Sudmalis (1922-1990) was a
Latvia n football defender, one of the most popular post-war footballers fromLiepāja . Sudmalis is considered the most skillful footballer in the history ofLiepāja , he had a good speed, tactical strength and he played well with the head [ [http://www.liepajniekiem.lv/lat/par_liepaju/vesture/personibas/izcilakie_sportisti/?doc=315 Greatest sportsmen of Liepāja in the 20th century] (in Latvian)] .Biography
Sudmalis started his career in Liepāja where he played with
Olimpija Liepāja from 1942 to 1944. After theSecond World war when Olimpija was reformed as Daugava Liepāja Sudmalis at first stayed with the club but in 1946 he was called up toRiga to joinFK Dinamo Rīga which played in the Soviet league. From 1946 to 1948 he played with Dinamo in the first Soviet league but in 1949 as it was merged withDaugava Rīga and promoted to theSoviet Top League Sudmalis became a footballer for Daugava [ [http://klisf.info/numeric/index.app?cmd=ln&lang=ru&id=520981396386037 Sudmalis stats with Riga clubs] ] .Over four seasons Sudmalis played 87 matches in the top Soviet league with Daugava and scored 1 goal. After the 1952 Daugava got relegated to the 1st Soviet league again, after one more season (with 9 appearances for Daugava) Sudmalis returned to
Liepāja where he joined Liepājas Metalurgs (former Daugava Liepāja). 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 theLatvian Cup two times.After retiring from football Sudmalis worked in the
Sarkanais Metalurgs metallurgy factory. He died at the age of 68 in the autumn of 1990.References
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