Zemļinskis spent most of his career at Skonto FC except for short periods at FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, at BVSC Budapest and at Hapoel Kfar Saba. He was a skilled central defender and played for the Latvian national team after country regained its independence in 1991. He played 105 matches and scored 12 goals for the national team, and took part in the 2004 European Championships in Portugal. Zemļinskis wore the number 4 jersey. He eventually became a football coach at FC Daugava. He is also a former head coach of the Latvia U-21 team.