Crossword Genius

Trounces in sporting fixture, having run to eliminate one of the Europeans (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

thrashes

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'trounces' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for thrashes that I've seen is " beats".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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